The destruction of job security is central to the long-term transformation of the sector. Universities are encouraged – with the enthusiastic co-operation of their vice-chancellors – to think of themselves as businesses. This means running increasing surpluses, recruiting more students in popular courses and cutting whole departments where numbers are lower.
https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/dec/01/academics-fight-for-right-to-job-security