Furious students have slammed the decision to give former Chancellor George Osborne a job at The University of Manchester - claiming the appointment was ‘distasteful and upsetting’.

The ex-Tatton MP was appointed honorary professor of economics on Thursday - his sixth position.

The London Evening Standard editor will advise the university on how it can ‘play an even greater part in the Northern Powerhouse’, as well as giving lectures and ‘masterclasses’ to students.

Union bosses have questioned the move, however, saying it's ‘at direct odds’ with the university’s decision to axe more than 170 jobs.

The university’s student union has now released a statement blasting Mr Osborne’s appointment.

Representatives said university bosses ‘seemed to overlook Osborne’s dire record as the administrator of six years of austerity in the UK’.

The statement reads: “Evidence suggests that not only did the ‘long-term economic plan’ fail - with the government borrowing more money than ever and doubling the deficit - austerity led to extraordinary cuts to vital public services and more people using food banks than ever before.”

Students said the appointment was ‘illogical’ and contradicts the university’s ‘social responsibility policy’.

That document sets out the university’s desire to ‘produce ‘socially responsible graduates’ who ‘tackle and understand problems relating to equality and diversity, sustainability, ethics and social justice’.

Student union representatives said they believe Mr Osborne is ‘unsuitable to fulfil this expectation’.

(Image: Hannah McKay/PA Wire)

The union attacked the austerity policies of the former Conservative MP, saying Manchester had felt its ‘harsh effects’ and cited the rise in homelessness and public service cuts as examples.

They also said it was ‘concerning’ the university is ‘honouring an ex-Chancellor who presided over the introduction of £9,000-a-year tuition fees’ - and that bosses had announced his appointment after announcing a round of redundancies.

Mr Osborne additionally said the university is ‘one of the jewels of the crown of the Northern Powerhouse’, his pet project while at the Treasury.

He said he was ‘bowled over’ at being offered the unpaid job, adding: “The university was at the centre of so many things I tried to achieve as Chancellor.”

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor at the university said: “George’s decision to accept our offer of an honorary professorship is very exciting news.

“Our students and staff will benefit from all of this experience and he will be invaluable in helping the University to support the growth of our city and region.”

The union has said it will support any students who have concerns about Mr Osborne’s appointment.