Fury over threat of sweeping job cuts at 'jewel in crown' Birkbeck

A campaign is under way to fight “devastating” job cuts at Birkbeck, University of London,

- Sally Weale 

which has been described as one of the most distinctive institutions of its kind and “a jewel in the crown” of British higher education.

On the eve of its 200th anniversary, staff have been warned of 140 job losses, reportedly to claw back funds to fill a £13m deficit. The University and College Union (UCU) said the cuts threatened to “trash” Birkbeck’s proud history and could jeopardise its contribution to social mobility and lifelong learning.

According to the UCU, managers emailed staff confirming plans to cut 84 academic and 56 administrative jobs by July , including up to 11 staff in the English, theatre and creative writing (ETC) department, 10 in geography, seven in politics, seven in film, media and cultural studies, six in philosophy and a further six in language, cultures and applied linguistics.

The broadcaster Lady Bakewell , who as Birkbeck’s president spent last week presiding over graduations, said: “I am personally most concerned to see the English department suffering so harshly. As a member of the British Academy I share their broader concerns that the humanities across the sector are under threat. I have made my views known to the vice-chancellor.

“It seems the case for the humanities has to be made yet again . While the sciences and hi-tech subjects result in discoveries of immediate application to how we live, the humanities endorse the values that make life itself worth living.”