University to cut support staff

Up to 127 jobs could be axed at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Administrative and support staff roles would be cut, and there would be no reduction in teaching or research staff, a spokesman said.

The university, which employs about 4,200 staff, said the cuts were necessary to "weather the current economic downturn".

Vice Chancellor Professor John Brooks said the cuts could help stop greater job losses in the future.

He added: "It is crucial that we provide students with a high-quality experience which is efficiently delivered and fit-for-purpose.

"There will be no reduction in teaching or research staff and the student experience should not be adversely affected."

'Mismanagement'

He said trade unions and the Department of Business Innovation and Skills had been informed and the university would do "everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies".

The university's branch of the union Unison said it was "outraged" by the decision.

The union spokesman: "We believe that our members are being made to pay for years of mismanagement under MMU's vice chancellor.

"The proposed job cuts will affect the whole university. They will have an adverse impact on students and will severely damage the university's relationship with the surrounding communities."