More than 100 jobs at risk in Aberdeen University cuts

More than 100 jobs could be lost at Aberdeen University as part of a £10m savings plan. The university court - its highest governing body - says the institution faces "stark" challenges and will open an early retirement and voluntary redundancy scheme next week. It says while compulsory redundancies remain a last resort, they cannot be ruled out. The measures were agreed at a court meeting and contained in an email to staff from principal Peter Edwards and interim senior governor Gary McRae, seen by BBC Scotland News on Thursday night. Staff represented by the University and College Union (UCU) went on strike last month over the cost-saving measures. It was the latest in a series of walkouts in the ongoing dispute. In the email, staff were told the total "reduction in academic workforce" could be up to 111 full-time roles. It added: "Importantly, however, the focus of the decision made by court was to reduce our costs, not to reduce our workforce by a specific number. "The challenges we and the rest of our sector face is stark." Prof Edwards later told BBC Scotland News the cuts meant the university "regrettably" had to reduce the academic staff headcount. "I absolutely appreciate