The University of Staffordshire proposed cutting nearly 70 full‑time equivalent roles—31.2 academic and 35.5 professional services positions—as part of a plan to save about £6.4 million. The university said the reductions would be achieved via redundancies, not replacing vacancies and scaling back casual contracts, and launched a formal consultation. Staff and unions were warned that 95% of employees would be unaffected but that the move is the third consecutive year of cuts at the institution. University leaders framed the proposal as necessary to navigate a challenging higher‑education funding environment and protect the student experience. Why it matters: recurring headcount reductions at public and private campuses signal persistent fiscal stress across the sector. HR leaders and academic planners should prepare for long consultations, potential industrial action, and the operational risks of repeated restructuring.