Dear Members, Several LUCU members and reps have asked us to respond to a message circulated by senior management on Friday 31 October (“Update from the Interim Vice-Chancellor”). Members have expressed concerns that aspects of that communication appear to be framed in a manner that is misleading; and / or may obscure key issues. We … Continue reading Responding to senior management
Dear Students, Lancaster UCU (LUCU) has called for strike action in response to the senior management's intention to get rid of approximately one in four academics and similar numbers of Professional Services (PS) staff, the indispensable people who keep the university running. We do not want to strike. It literally makes us sick. We know … Continue reading Lancaster UCU: Open Letter to Students
Lancaster University UCU has formally written to the Office for Students (OfS) to raise urgent concerns about the way Lancaster University is communicating with current and prospective students. In our email to the OfS, we warned that students are not being given accurate or transparent information about major restructuring plans — including the Curriculum Transformation … Continue reading Lancaster UCU reports student communication failures to the Office for Students
Lancaster University UCU has written to the University Council and Executive to express deep concern about the failure of governance and oversight in the University’s decision-making. Despite repeated letters since August, no meaningful response has been received. Our letter highlights serious gaps in transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, as well as a lack of strategic … Continue reading Lancaster UCU calls for accountability and transparency in university governance
Lancaster University UCU has written to both the Office for Students (OfS) and the Secretary of State for Education to raise grave concerns about KPMG’s dual role in Lancaster University’s financial management. KPMG is advising the University on its “LU Futures” restructuring project — a process that could lead to job losses and cuts — … Continue reading Lancaster UCU challenges conflicts of interest in university finances
Dear members The result of the industrial action ballot of UCU members employed by Lancaster University, which closed at 12 noon on Friday 10 October 2025, is as set out below: Turnout: 58.36% Question: Are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of strike action? “Yes” - 88.12% “No” - 11.88% Invalid voting papers … Continue reading Ballot results
Dear membersWhat does Lancaster University need at a time when – according to Senior Management – it is looking at a projected financial deficit and plans to make 417 staff redundant? Choose one of the following options:1. A Compulsory Redundancy program for Senior Management.2. The installation of a mezzanine floor in each office that is not … Continue reading Addicted to Spending
Date: 26 August 2025 Dear Pro-Chancellor and lay members of the University Council Copy: Chancellor Alan Milburn; UCU members; Dr Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary; Unite; Unison; Prof Decent, incoming Vice-Chancellor; LUSU; Cat Smith, MP; Lizzi Collinge, MP; Caroline Jackson, Leader of Lancaster City Council; Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education; Baroness Smith, Minister … Continue reading Lancaster University in a death spiral?
There is no credible financial, strategic, operational or governance justification for compulsory redundancies. The current situation highlights the failings of leadership and governance rather than a genuine financial necessity. LUCU believes that the University should prioritise voluntary measures, natural attrition, non-payroll savings, use of reserves, adjustment of financial targets and KPIs, and halt capital expansion immediately, rather than dismantling the academic base and its supporting professional staff, which have secured the University’s top-10 position in the UK. University Council and senior management must be held accountable for opaque decisions that place private partnerships and surplus metrics ahead of staff, students, and the community.
Lancaster UCU is pleased to have received a statement of support below from Councillors Maria Deery and Tom Fish, who represent the University ward on the local Council. Lancaster University is a cornerstone of the area, providing countless jobs and economic growth to its citizens. A sentiment shared by Prof Sarah Kemp stating in her … Continue reading “Rule out mass job cuts”, say University ward councillors
Lancaster UCU 