Plans to cut uni jobs and courses lead to 'toxic culture'

A "toxic" culture has been created by Cardiff University's plan to cut 400 jobs and axe courses, according to a former education minister.

Leighton Andrews, a professor at Cardiff Business School, said there was a "climate of fear in the university about speaking out" with staff morale " through the floor" since it announced plans in January to address a £31m budget gap.

He has said the university had millions in cash and investments which could be used instead of adopting a "slash and burn programme".

The university has been asked to comment, but previously said the proposals are subject to a 90-day consultation.

"What they have done is, frankly, destroy trust and good will within the university," Prof Andrews told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement.

"And these are the people you need, academics here to boost the university in the future, to do the ground-breaking research that is needed.

"But, at the moment, everybody's focus is on their own jobs."

Cardiff University announced plans to make job cuts and axe courses including nursing, music and modern languages on 28 January.

The proposals would amount to a 7% reduction in the academic workforce if signed off.

Some academic schools would be merged under the plans and staffing levels cut in areas including medicine, the business school and Welsh.

"I think it feels very toxic," the former politician added.

"I think there is a climate of fear in the university about speaking out."

The university has said its proposals are subject to a 90-day consultation, with final plans decided in June.

Meanwhile, the University and College Union is balloting members for strike action to fight compulsory redundancies.

The professor, who said he has voted for industrial action, has suggested the university use some of its cash and investments - estimated at over £100m - to offset its planned cuts.

"That could spread the pain over a longer period, and it could, I think, protect the future of the university," said Prof Andrews, who was in charge of education at the Welsh government from 2009 to 2013.

Last month, Bangor University and the University of South Wales confirmed plans to cut 200 and 90 jobs respectively.

In February, Vikki Howells, the minister responsible for higher education in Wales, pledged a further £19m for the higher education sector but asked universities to "consider all options", including using its financial reserves, to prevent job losses.