Joint update on the University's financial position

Representatives of the UEB, the UCU and the Staff Forum continue to meet on a regular basis to review the University’s financial position. These meetings follow the agreement reached in the Summer of 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, which identified ways in which the financial impact of Covid-19 could be managed, and potential job losses avoided.

The latest meeting was held on 25 May 2022 and as with previous meetings the discussion was informed by up-to-date information provided by colleagues in Finance, with a particular focus on the impact of student recruitment.

We are pleased to be able to report that the financial position remains steady and in line with previous projections.  The challenges presented by COVID have not gone away and we will continue to take a cautious and measured approach.

Representatives from the Staff Forum and the UCU highlighted the increasing cost of living crisis, which UEB colleagues also recognised and acknowledged.   It was jointly agreed that the outcomes of the student recruitment cycle, which should be largely known by the end of August, will provide a basis for consideration of whether the university would be able to consider implementing a pay award for 22/23.

The next review meeting will be brought forward to September 2022.

We continue to recognise and thank all colleagues for the part you have played in addressing the challenges arising from the pandemic successfully.

Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor 

Sally Pellow, President RUCU 

John Jack and Sian Walsh, Co-Chairs Staff Forum