University opens severance scheme to cut jobs

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has opened a voluntary redunancy scheme for its staff.

Up to 150 posts could be at risk, it has been claimed, although the university declined to comment on the numbers.

A university spokesperson said: “We have opened up a voluntary severance scheme for staff to put themselves forward if they want to take voluntary redundancy.

“The scheme is open to a number of departments across the university.”

They said negotiations have been opened with trade union representatives regarding the severance programme.

The university declined to comment on whether the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is behind the decision to cut jobs.

Higher education centres have had to scale back teaching systems due to the increase in coronavirus infections.

Since students returned for the current term many lectures have been switched to online teaching sessions.

There have been calls for all lectures to go online as infection rates continue to rise throughout the region.

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, LJMU had more than 24,000 students registered.