UCU condemns Uni of Essex plan to cut 400 jobs and close Southend campus

The University and College Union has criticised the University of Essex after the institution outlined plans to cut 400 jobs and close its Southend campus next year.

In an email to staff, the vice-chancellor confirmed proposals to remove 200 academic posts during the current academic year and 200 professional services roles across this year and next. The university said the measures were required to improve efficiency and manage costs amid continuing pressure on the sector.

Students and remaining staff at the Southend campus are expected to move to Colchester from next September, with the site to be mothballed.

The union said it was seeking further detail on which departments would be affected and when job losses would begin, urging university leaders to work with staff representatives to avoid compulsory redundancies.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Staff are the lifeblood of our universities and announcing mass redundancies in the run up to Christmas is cruel. Management at the University of Essex must rethink these plans and work with us to find alternatives to the loss of hundreds of jobs.

“The sector is struggling but we can’t accept these cuts and closures. We will be prepared to take action to protect staff and their students if management doesn’t rethink its plans.”