Opposition is growing to cuts that could cost more than 80 people their jobs at the University of Bolton.

The Deane Road university announced recently in an internal email to members of staff that it was planning cost cutting that could mean making redundancies.

The University and College Union now says that this could mean 82 members of staff being cut from Sunday August 18 this year.

 UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “These cuts will hurt students and should be halted immediately, especially as there is no financial need to make so many staff redundant.

“It is completely unacceptable for Bolton to trade on its history as a mechanics institute while trying to gut its engineering provision and the severe cuts it wants to inflict on the arts will shut down opportunity for students from the local area.

Staff at the University of Bolton have been warned about possible redundanciesStaff at the University of Bolton have been warned about possible redundancies (Image: University of Bolton)

“The university now needs to listen to its staff, change course and protect provision.”

The union says that that cuts could mean four managers, 39 academics and 39 support staff members are axed.

They claim that the cuts come despite the University of Bolton, which traces its history back to 1824 as a mechanics institute, has more than £50M in reserves.

Trade unionists in Bolton have also argued that the proposed cuts come after a period of growth of the university.

This includes being rated amongst the top 30 in the country by the Guardian Good University Guide, and with plans in motion to create a new medical school.

Bolton United Trades Council vice chair Neil McAllister said: “This is somewhat at odds, however, with its decision to initiate a programme of job cuts and restructures at this time.

“We understand that representatives of the recognised trade unions with members at Bolton (Unison and UCU) have requested access to information with which to evaluate the need for these proposals, but so far the University has not given anything other than the three general drivers identified above.

“It has, however, pressed ahead with departmental level plans for restructure and redundancies, including signalling the start of a formal and statutory process of consultation for those affected by the proposals.

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“It is understood that the recognised trade unions have lodged their concerns about the timing of the proposals, their sudden introduction without notice, the lack of responsiveness to requests for information to substantiate the need for any job cuts, and the unreasonable speed at which the process appears to be moving.” 

The University of Bolton has said that it hopes to work with trade union representatives in the days ahead.

A spokesperson said: "Most universities are managing their cost base in a similar way to us at Bolton.

"The university is engaging actively in proper consultation with our trade union representatives to seek the best possible outcome.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further until consultation ends in around 45 days’ time."