The following statement has been sent to all staff in the academic University by Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement.
The University recognises that the rising cost of living is currently bringing real challenges to many staff and students. As a result, we have been considering how we can provide some extra help and support.
The following elements make up a package of additional support, and which I hope provides some help through the months ahead for those who need it most.
All non-clinical employees of the University will receive an exceptional, non-pensionable payment of 2% for 2022/23. This will be made in six monthly instalments of 4% of basic pay, starting next month and ending in April 2023, so as to concentrate assistance over the winter months when we expect pressure on household bills to be particularly acute.
This payment is in addition to the sector-wide pay award of 3% which was implemented in September, and backdated to 1 August 2022.
The University is also reintroducing the Staff Hardship Grant scheme, which was previously available during the Covid pandemic. This scheme provides non-repayable and taxable grants of up to £1,250. Grants are available to those experiencing significant financial hardship and who are not eligible for our existing Employee Welfare Loan. The Welfare Loan is interest-free and is intended to help employees with a period of short-term financial difficulty such as the one that might be caused by high energy costs during winter months.
Further information on how to apply for a loan or a hardship grant is available on the HR webpages.
Both staff and students can also take advantage of a pilot to subsidise lunches in the West Hub (Monday to Friday, from 8am to 9pm) on the West Cambridge campus. The pilot is running until the end of February next year – please ensure that you have your University card with you. The Student Services Centre is also open daily from 9am to 5pm with a range of study and socialising facilities available.
In addition, University staff can receive discounts on a range of household items, including supermarket groceries, via the CAMbens scheme.
We are also communicating to students today to tell them that the University will be increasing financial support for its Student Hardship Fund by 50% in order to provide help for those who need it most.
We will continue to monitor how the rising cost of living is affecting staff, and you are welcome to provide feedback and questions via the HR webpages.
