Yesterday, May 8, in a separate message to staff from the Vice-Chancellor and President, it was confirmed that a total of 257 successful applications were accepted to the University Voluntary Severance Scheme (VS) which opened back in February. Many more applied, but due to VS acceptance criteria, several were rejected.
The Executive Board confirmed the ‘adjustments to working hours and early retirements’ and 257 VS applicants, saved £16.2M from future salary costs.
The Scheme was extended twice for staff who chose to leave Newcastle University voluntarily and who agreed to a nine-month financial package. The scheme reached the quota of required professional service staff to voluntarily leave, and therefore, the further 38 redundancies are to be academics.
The Executive Board said: ‘There is still a shortfall of £3.8M from the total £20M savings we need to find’ to reduce expenditure. This was agreed with the university governing body and council, and so decided ‘we must now move forward with the next phase of our plans, which includes redundancies’.
The message from the Executive Board said: ‘We believe that, under the current plans, we can preserve the academic character and mission of the University – avoiding the closure of any subject areas and preserving the breadth of our research and education.’
Staff and colleagues expressed that they were not properly informed by the Executive Board that these communications were coming. One staff member shared: ‘It was incredibly difficult and distressing to have received it [the emails] out of the blue’.
From correspondence from one Head of Subject to staff, a colleague said: ‘To be blindsided by emails like we have received through this process feels compromising’.
The University and College Union (UCU), representing staff at Newcastle University, have previously launched strike action throughout 2025 in response to the financial implications.
In February, they announced 14 days of strike action, taking place over four teaching weeks throughout March. This was followed in April with the announcement of a further 21 days of strike action, which began on April 28.
These strikes are taking place throughout May as well as June 27 and 28.
The UCU have agreed on a reballot for a marking and assessment boycott, however the current exam period, between May 12 and May 30, will still go as planned. Staff confirm that students should still attend their timetabled exams.
Education Sabbatical Officer, Jasmine Banks said: ‘NUSU remains neutral regarding the strikes as we centrally represent the student's interests. Whether or not they support the strikes, the impact of industrial action has been incredibly disruptive to the student experience and we are here to offer advice and support.’
‘Losing staff members, colleagues and friends is extremely difficult as it is more than just figures, these are individuals' careers and mentors. A lot of character is going to be lost from the university.’
Jasmine explains NUSU encourages: ‘Students to seek financial compensation for extended periods of disruption as it is their right to do so by the Office for Students’
Take a stance: https://nusu.co.uk/takeastance
‘Students can submit a complaint to their school regarding the impact industrial action has had on their educational experience and their university careers. We specifically suggest you request financial compensation or ‘remedy’.’
‘If students are not happy with the results, we recommend they go through the formal case work process which involves raising the appeal to Level 2. NUSU is happy to support students through this process.’
Related Articles: