Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine warns of potential redundancies

Potential job losses are being considered at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) as it seeks to reduce costs and secure its long-term future.

The University and College Union (UCU) said a voluntary severance process had already taken place and that "significant redundancies" were now being considered.

According to UCU, LSTM is seeking savings of around £8m this financial year, with similar savings planned over the following two years. The union claims staff have not been given a proper explanation of the plans.

LSTM said it faced "some very difficult decisions" but was "committed" to working with unions to agree an approach that worked for staff and their members.

When it was founded in 1898, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine became the first institution in the world dedicated to research and teaching in tropical medicine.

Today, it carries out research into infectious diseases and global health and has an international reputation for its education, research and clinical work.

Last month, LSTM announced a new £20m robotic laboratory designed to accelerate the development of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. Supporters of the project said it could create hundreds of technology jobs when it becomes fully operational in 2027.

UCU said it was concerned about the potential impact on students, research and specialist expertise, and urged management to be more open about its plans.

"Any cuts by LSTM will not just impact staff affected but will mean a poorer experience for students and risk the vital research capacity in the region," said Jo Grady, the UCU general secretary.

"University management must come clean on its plans, rule out job cuts and recognise and work with unions to ensure a stable future for LSTM's vital research in Liverpool and the wider North West."

A LSTM spokesperson said that, like many universities, it faced "significant" financial challenges.

"We must make further reductions to our recurrent cost base if we are to be sustainable into the future," they said.

"This means we are faced with some very difficult decisions, including potential redundancies."

It committed to "consult fully" with staff before any final decisions are made and said it was actively working with three trade unions, including UCU.

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