Secretary of State asks Uni to put cost-cutting plans on hold

The University of Leeds has been asked by Lord Mandelson to put its cost-cutting plans on hold due to a formal challenge that accuses the University of breaking key rules on how it is regulated.

Lord Mandelson, in his capacity as Lord President of the Council, is also the Visitor of the University and so is responsible for ensuring that the institution conducts its affairs in accordance with its Charter and Statutes.

A challenge was made in the form of a petition and was issued by the staff member representative of the University and College Union (UCU). It claims that the University has bypassed the senate, or the body responsible for its academic prerogative, when it implemented restructure plans for the Faculty of Biological Sciences (FBS).

The petition called for action related to cost-cutting plans in other departments to be put on hold while Mandelson investigated the complaint.

The UCU argues that the academic prerogative is not the responsibility of the University’s Council and executive and they were not empowered to alter it. They maintain that the senate, which was not consulted at the time, or indeed at all, only holds this power.

UCU spokesman, Mark Taylor-Batty, said: “Lord Mandelson’s request that the University put all cuts processes on hold while his office investigates the potential breaches of statutes is of course welcomed by the UCU.

“We believe it is appropriate to suspend procedures during an investigation. When there is a  serious allegation against a member of staff, he or she is suspended from duties while the matter is investigated. The same should apply here as the Privy Council investigate whether the University acted in breach of its own regulations.”

The news of Lord Mandelson’s intervention comes just 24 hours after UCU members at the University announced plans for a series of one-day strikes. These were to take place on Thursday 25 February, Tuesday 2 and Thursday 4 March.

However, the Union emphasised on Friday that strike action was a last resort. UCU said it remained committed to resolving the dispute and a structured process needs to be negotiated in order to avoid compulsory redundancies.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “We are pleased that the Visitor agrees with us that the current cost cutting plans at Leeds must be put on hold to allow this issue to be properly investigated.

“Our universities spend millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money and scrutiny of how they spend that money is a must. UCU continues to believe a sensible way forward is possible at Leeds and we call on the university to join us in meaningful negotiations to avoid a damaging dispute.”

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