The University of Edinburgh is set to continue with cuts as the academic year progresses, with the School of Social and Political Science (SPS) being “asked to deliver a savings target of £3m” over the next two years.
In an internal email seen by The Student sent out to all SPS staff at the University of Edinburgh, Christina Boswell, Interim Head of SPS, stated that the “substantial savings” needed are “to be met through reducing academic staff costing.”
“Despite some staff leaving or reducing their hours over this period, and the pausing of promotions, our academic staff costs have continued to increase.”
The email states that these plans have been made “over the summer,” with a plan outlined in July.
Demands for “Schools to step up activity to meet their targets” have come from College and University level: “The clear message from College and the University has consistently been that the School-level targets are standardised calculations, endorsed by the University Executive Committee, and are not open to renegotiation.”
Despite SPS “discussing and querying the target for almost two years,” the decision has been made to adhere to the School-level cuts to enable them to “plan for the future with greater confidence” and avoid “prolonging uncertainty and further affecting morale.”
The School has stated that they are “continue[ing] to explore actions that would remove or limit the need for compulsory redundancies.”
The first of these interventions include “reducing use of Guaranteed Hours contracts,” which are expected to “contribute c. £440k towards meeting our £3m target.” They have stated that they are considering “further action here.”
The second planned intervention is “conversations about potential exits or reduced hours.” The email states they “welcome conversations about the options available” including “retirement or adjusting working hours.”
“While there is currently no general scheme for voluntary departures, we can explore the options available.”
The email further acknowledges that SPS “may then need to consider compulsory redundancies” if these measures do not meet the £3m savings target.
“We are not yet at this stage, however. Over the next two months, our focus will be on seeing how much progress we can make.”
The School have stated that they plan “to make substantial progress towards achieving these savings targets before the mergers of Subject Areas are implemented in 2027/28,” although “the two processes will be kept separate.”
Boswell finished off the email: “It’s an incredibly tough time, and much the most difficult phase the University has been through for a long term […] But I also know we will get through this phase.”
Image by Ulia Makoveeva for The Student
