Staff cuts looming

Up to 90 academics are facing redundancy at Anglia Ruskin University, which has launched a voluntary severance scheme. The university expects to "release" a total of 80 to 90 academics. Final decisions will be made at the end of May, and the staff will leave in August.

A spokesman for the University and College Union said: "This Friday is the last day for applying (for voluntary redundancy), and fewer than 50 have signed up. Undue pressure is being put on some people."

Meanwhile, Southampton University has announced plans to cut up to 30 per cent of academic staff in the School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences in response to cuts to the National Health Service's training budget.