The number of staff working in the Higher Education (HE) sector, has dropped by two per cent over the past two years, statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency have revealed.

The University and College Union (UCU) have described the numbers as “concerning” when linked to the rise in student numbers, the Times Higher Education reports.

“Our members will as always continue to do their best but we need to get away from the idea that more can be done with less if we are to retain our global academic reputation,” Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the UCU stated. “The sector needs more, not fewer, resources if it is to meet the ever increasing demands made by students.”

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) released data, showing that junior administrative staff, including secretaries, cleaners and caretakers, have been the hardest hit, declining by 14 per cent since 2008; whilst the number of full-time staff employed by universities has dropped by 0.5 per cent.

Despite an overall decline in numbers, a Spokesman from the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) said that there had been some “positive developments” in the sector in the last year.

“The number of female academic staff has risen, and the number of women professors is the highest ever with a rise of 4.1 per cent in the year, additionally the numbers of academic staff on permanent contracts has again risen. Against the background of major funding challenges and major job losses in the wider economy, it would seem that the sector has through careful management, managed to minimize job losses during this period, with a relatively small loss in [full and part-time] academic posts.”

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By Olivia Bamber