Home / Education / Liverpool Trop Med Faces £8m Job Cut Crisis
Liverpool Trop Med Faces £8m Job Cut Crisis
16 Oct
Summary
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine considers £8m savings.
- Voluntary severance has occurred; significant job losses loom.
- Institution is globally recognized for tropical medicine research.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), a globally respected institution founded in 1898, is currently facing significant financial difficulties requiring savings of around £8m this year. These savings are part of a broader financial strategy planned for the next two years.
The University and College Union (UCU) has expressed concern, reporting that a voluntary severance scheme has been completed and that significant job cuts are now under consideration. The union states that staff have not received adequate explanations regarding these austerity measures.
LSTM acknowledged the necessity of making difficult decisions to ensure future sustainability, including potential redundancies. The institution is committed to consulting with its three trade unions, including UCU, before any final decisions are made regarding staff.
This situation arises despite LSTM's recent announcement of a new £20m robotic laboratory aimed at accelerating drug and vaccine development, a project anticipated to create hundreds of tech jobs by 2027. The UCU is worried about the potential negative effects on students, ongoing research, and specialized expertise within the institution.
