Workforce reductions of more than 1 per cent are on the cards at the University of Central Lancashire. The cost-cutting exercise will affect the faculty of health and the department of humanities, where staff have been invited to apply for voluntary redundancy. A joint statement from the university, the University and College Union, and support-staff unions Unison and Unite says: "Despite continued success at the university generally, with continuing growth in student numbers on the Preston campus, demand for some courses has declined, and the university is seeking to make some reductions in staff levels in these areas." Alan Roff, the deputy vice-chancellor, said the reductions would enable expansion in other areas of high demand. "While the challenges facing the specific affected areas are difficult, it must be reiterated that the university remains on a growth trajectory overall," he said. "The university has again announced record levels of student numbers and income on its Preston campus for the fourth successive year."
- A new £15 million "media factory" has opened at the University of Central Lancashire. The centre has a series of theatre spaces, studios for visual and audio recording, a publishing house, museum and art-house cinema. Patrick McGhee, deputy vice-chancellor of UCLan, said: "We have spared no expense, and we expect the media factory to reinforce our reputation for creative excellence."