Durham University reaches £15 million professional services staff savings target
By Jasmine Davey and Isla Mustin
Durham University has confirmed it has achieved its full £15 million staff savings target from professional services divisions for the academic year 2024/25.
In an email to staff on 11th June, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost Mike Shipman announced that the University had closed the remaining £1m shortfall.
The savings were finalised through “further clarification of the vacancies figure” and by completing the process of all voluntary severance applications.
As a result, the University has achieved its savings target without resorting to compulsory redundancies.
This follows the University’s earlier announcement of a £20m deficit, after which it urged staff to accept voluntary severance in order to prevent compulsory redundancies.
In response, Durham’s University and College Union (DUCU) held industrial action, with staff striking during the first week of Easter Term.
Looking ahead, the email states the University plans to save £10 million in non-staff costs across the University during the 2025/26 academic year. This includes faculty and professional services. Budgets for the next academic year are currently being discussed.
Image: Jasmine Davey
