THE University of Bolton says it is prepared for cuts to its funding.

All universities are waiting to here what their allocation from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFC) will be.

Earlier this year, the university saw its government handout reduced by just under one per cent — £221,000.

Last October a consultation over the future of posts began.

Dr Peter Marsh, deputy vicechancellor, said: “The university has been working for months to prepare for a reduction in the overall funding to universities.

The university offered a voluntary severance scheme open to academic and nonacademic staff. In addition, there has been a recruitment freeze on all but essential posts.”

He added: “HEFC recently praised the university for its prompt action in anticipation of the financial climate in higher education.

“The period of consultation has finished and the intention is to redeploy staff into vacancies, and to avoid redundancies where possible. Specifically, 23 posts have been identified as ‘at risk’ and we expect most post holders will be offered an alternative role.”

This week University and College Union said national industrial action over job cuts in the university sector could not be ruled out.

Chris Minta, University of Bolton representative, said: “We are more than concerned about the students who fail to get into university due to the reduction in numbers and the possible effects that this failure to train will have on the economy.”