The petition of residents of the constituency of Lancaster and Wyre,
Declares that Lancaster University is currently considering a series of staff redundancies, initially voluntary, which could see the University lose around 450 jobs, with compulsory redundancies not ruled out. Staff trade unions, UCU, Unite and Unison, are consulting with their members and are concerned about the job losses as well as the impact on the wider area with the Lancaster District benefiting from having a successful university in its footprint.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to ensure universities are supported to ensure security of employment for staff and a high-quality learning experience for students.
And the petitioners remain, etc—[Presented by Cat Smith, Official Report, 21 July 2025; Vol. 771, c. 663.]
[P003100]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister):
The Government note the concerns raised in the petition regarding employment security and the quality of the student learning experience at Lancaster University.
Given that universities are independent, they are responsible for the pay and provision of staff. Government does not have a role in intervening with specific providers in pay and staffing matters or in resolving disputes between providers and their staff.
However, we expect providers to work with staff, using their knowledge and experience to help identify how best to operate efficiently. All efficiency measures taken by the sector should provide a better long-term future for staff, students and the country.
Though universities are autonomous, this Government are committed to supporting the sector in moving towards a more stable financial footing. That is why we have made the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in the 2025-26 academic year by 3.1%, in line with inflation.
While the Office for Students has statutory duties in relation to the financial sustainability of the higher education sector, the Government have a clear interest in understanding the sector’s level of risk. As such, the Department for Education continues to work closely with the OfS in order to better understand the sector’s changing financial landscape.
We have also appointed Professor Edward Peck as OfS chair, where he will play a key role in strengthening its commitment to financial sustainability while also expanding opportunities in higher education.
Moreover, the Government provide funding through the strategic priorities grant on an annual basis to support teaching and students in higher education. This includes funding to support teaching of expensive-to-deliver subjects such as science and engineering, access and participation of students from under-represented groups, and world-leading specialist providers. The total SPG for the 2025-26 financial year will be £1,348 million in recurrent (programme) grant and £84 million for capital to support teaching and learning.
Ministers and officials continue to engage regularly with the sector, the unions and the employer body to better understand the issues affecting HE providers and the workforce.
The DfE aim to publish its plans for HE reform soon as part of the post-16 skills White Paper, and work with the sector and the OfS to deliver the change that the country needs.