Leaders at UEA 'cautiously optimistic' £30m budget deficit will be sorted this year

It comes after the uni announced it wanted to cut more than 100 staff

Author: Matt SoanesPublished 23rd Aug 2023
Last updated 23rd Aug 2023

Bosses at the UEA say they're 'cautiously optimistic' they will make £30m worth of savings this year.

The Norwich based university has been trying to close a large black hole in its budget, with a voluntary redundancy scheme being launched earlier this year.

113 job roles across the campus are being closed through either redundancy or re-deployment.

Last week governing body the UEA Council agreed not to seek compulsory redundancies for staff.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Christine Bovis-Cnossen said: “This means we are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to bring this phase of savings to a conclusion without compulsory redundancies, which is always what we hoped to achieve."

“This decision will remain under review while we continue to work through the processes in those few areas with staff still at risk.

"It is dependent on our voluntary redundancy, redeployment and voluntary contract reduction processes reaching a successful conclusion to meet our required savings, and many of those are still progressing.

"We anticipate being able to have a full assessment of the impact of these cost savings in the autumn.

“We have worked hard to resolve our financial issues and following a successful student recruitment round in 2023/24, we are moving forward with confidence and optimism for the future.

"We look forward to welcoming many new and returning students to Norwich in September.”

Unions representing staff at the UEA have threatened further strike action if compulsory redundancies are made.

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