Ulster University plans to make around 450 staff redundant. The university has more than 30,000 students and employs 3,100 staff across campuses in Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and Londonderry.

Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald defended the decision not to raise tuition fees in Northern Ireland. A university spokesperson stated on Wednesday that redundancies across the higher education sector have become unavoidable due to the current funding model.

Archibald expressed sympathy for the affected staff and their families. She noted that universities in Britain face similar challenges despite charging students twice as much for tuition.

The minister attributed the issue to insufficient funding from the British Government for institutions to deliver services. She described the redundancies as real-world consequences of the Stormont Executive not receiving proper funding.

Archibald stated that adding pressure on students through higher fees is not the solution. She said public services require adequate funding and pledged to press the British Government on this alongside Executive colleagues.

The minister highlighted long-term impacts of higher fees, including student loans, repayments and interest rates seen in Britain. She aims to balance where the funding burden falls.