SCOTLAND faces an autumn of industrial action on campuses across the country unless ministers begin “fully funding” the sector, the UCU said today.

The stark warning following a series of successful strike ballots at universities facing cuts, including Dundee, West of Scotland, Highlands & Islands and Edinburgh, where a management cuts plan of £140 million proposes to slash 1,800 jobs.

While those institutions have refused to rule out compulsory redundancies, still more are wielding the axe through voluntary schemes, including at Heriot-Watt, Aberdeen and Stirling. 

UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: “UCU is contesting these job cuts and will continue to do so, but a significant part of the answer to the current crisis must involve the Scottish government and ministers living up to their responsibilities right now and fully funding the sector and their promise of free tuition.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady added: “We need university managements across the country to work with UCU to find alternative savings that protect jobs and for the Scottish government to fully fund Scottish universities in the Scottish Budget.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.