Cardiff Met says job cuts needed to reduce costs

Cardiff Metropolitan University has said it expects to make between 30 and 50 staff redundant, as it tries to cut costs.

It is the latest Welsh institution to move to compulsory job losses to address financial pressures facing the sector.

Cardiff Met, which employs around 1800 staff according to the latest data, said it had already implemented a range of measures to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies, but further reductions were required.

In January, Cardiff University published proposals to cut 400 jobs, while Bangor University and the University of South Wales are also consulting on job losses.

A Cardiff Metropolitan University spokesperson said it was experiencing financial challenges with costs exceeding income.

"To be well positioned for a successful and sustainable future, we, like all universities, need to make some difficult decisions," a spokesperson said.

It recently closed a second voluntary severance scheme after a previous round led to 60 members of staff leaving voluntarily.

"However, we must still make further reductions to our recurrent cost base and have this week started collective consultation with our recognised trades unions on restructuring proposals," the spokesperson added.

"This consultation will genuinely seek the unions' and our colleagues' collective feedback before any proposals are finalised.

"We are encouraging staff to share their views and access the range of support we have made available during this unsettling and difficult time."

The university said detailed proposals would be shared with affected staff next week.