CARDIFF University is reducing the number of job cuts in its cost-cutting programme to 138.

The decision, announced by the university today, comes after it reduced the number of proposed job losses last month from 400 to 286.

Unions agreed not to take strike action following a pledge by the university not to make any compulsory redundancies this year.

The cuts come as the university said it is battling a £30 million black hole in its finances.

A Cardiff University College Union (UCU) spokesperson said it cautiously welcomed the announcement, but added: ”There remain numerous areas of grave concern for our members about management’s continued programme of cuts.

“We will continue to press university leaders in the strongest terms to: take all staff out of scope for redundancy; continue provision of teaching and research in music, modern languages, ancient history, and religion and theology; draw on the university’s vast sums of accessible cash to fund a longer recovery period than it is currently planning on; and to rule out compulsory redundancies completely in relation to their current restructuring plans.”

Final proposals will be agreed by the university council on June 17.