In the news this week: 8 January 2016

Aberdeen University staff back strike action again in dispute over job losses

UCU members at Aberdeen University voted again for industrial action in a row over job losses. Three-quarters (74%) of members backed strike action and four out of five (79%) said they were prepared to take action short of a strike. The dispute centres on the university's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies, despite making savings of around £8 million.

Andrew MacKillop, Aberdeen UCU representative, said:  'This is the second time Aberdeen UCU members have made their willingness to take industrial action crystal clear. All we are asking for is substantive assurances about protecting jobs and ensuring no one starts 2016 with the threat of compulsory redundancy hanging over them.'

Strike action was averted last year when a similar percentage of staff (73%) backed strike action in a ballot in June and the university rowed back from plans to force through compulsory job losses.

Government could face legal challenge over student debt repayment changes

The government might face legal action over changes to student funding arrangements for university graduates. Chancellor George Osborne froze the level at which graduates will begin to repay their student debt at £21,000 at the end of last year, which will leave some students hundreds of pounds a year worse off. Money expert Martin Lewis has said his lawyers may take legal action against the change.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt told the Daily Mail that the change was deeply disingenuous and would severely undermine students' trust in the higher education funding system. 'It will be a real financial blow to lower-earning graduates and ... sends precisely the wrong message to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are understandably concerned about the rising cost of university,' she said.