Jobs are being axed at struggling student unions, pitching members of Unison, the administrative staff union, against students.

At Manchester Metropolitan 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ, the student union has made 14 staff redundant in the past few weeks.

At Sheffield Hallam 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ, 19 people have lost their jobs. Three posts are under threat at Leeds Metropolitan 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ.

Chris Fox, president of the MMU student union, estimated its deficit at Pounds 400,000. He blamed the shortfall on the new funding arrangements:

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"Students are more cautious with their money. They are much less likely to join clubs and societies and much more likely to get part-time jobs." He added that the union had closed bars and shops at some campuses.

In the past year, Sheffield Hallam 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ student union has cut the number of contracted staff from 95 to 56. John Farrar, Sheffield regional higher education officer for Unison, said: "Like most student unions, Sheffield Hallam is extremely financially unstable. It failed to keep up with student needs, particularly on the entertainments side."

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At Leeds Metropolitan 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ, the student union deficit is thought to be up to Pounds 100,000. Kerk Lawley, outgoing president of LMU student union, blamed the financial pressure on competition for the student pound.