7:10am Monday 22nd March 2010
THE University of Bolton has admitted it will have to “tighten its belt” after having its funding slashed.
The university has seen its Government handout reduced by just under one per cent — some £221,000 — but is bracing itself for future cuts to funding which could lead to job losses.
The news comes at a time when the university has seen a 30 per cent rise in the number of students applying for courses.
And consultation over the future of 61 posts at the university is under way.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Professor Peter Marsh, said: “This central funding reduction affects universities throughout the country; we are not alone in having to tighten our belts.
“What this 0.9 per cent cut means in real terms is £221,000, which is not welcome but it is manageable.
“However, the cuts that are set to come in future years give us real concern.”
He added: “We are committed to maintaining frontline services; support for teaching and the service to students is paramount and always will be. We are seeking to avoid any compulsory job losses. But if cuts continue we cannot rule out job losses in the future.”
According to figures from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce), more than half of England’s 130 universities have received cuts in cash terms for 2010/11.
But when inflation at around two per cent is taken into account, 99 universities are facing a real terms cut, two will see their funding remain static, while just 29 will see an increase.
Bolton Community College fared better, receiving a 0.5 per cent in its grant, but it was less than the North West average increase of 3.8 per cent.
Kelvin Nash, director of Adult Learning and Higher Education (HE) at Bolton Community College, said: “We are delighted with the news that our HE funding for 2010/2011 has been increased. We currently have plans in place to offer more courses in September 2010.”
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