Since May 2026 the Senedd has debated how to keep Welsh universities financially stable, with a Government-commissioned review of higher education led by Professor Patrick Prendergast. Labour and Reform UK Members have pressed on redundancies and fees. Labour and Conservative Members have also pressed on college funding and waiting lists in further education. Ministers have set out a skills audit, a skills summit and apprenticeship reform, and opposition Members ask what will change in the meantime.
The main arguments
Cefin Campbell (Plaid Cymru) said Welsh universities reported an £82 million underlying deficit in 2024-25 and enrolments fell 11 per cent between 2022-23 and 2024-25. He said the review, chaired by Professor Prendergast, will examine funding, student support and sector resilience.
Adrian Mason (Reform UK) cited a £79 million sector deficit and a nearly £19 million deficit at Bangor. He asked the First Minister to confirm that the Welsh fee cap would stay in line with England's for the rest of the term. Contributions: [1]
Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour) asked for a statement on planned redundancies in Swansea University's computing department. Vikki Howells (Welsh Labour) asked about compulsory redundancies at the University of South Wales. Tom Montgomery (Reform UK) said Universities Wales warned of cuts of up to 35 per cent in capacity. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Lynne Neagle and Vikki Howells (Welsh Labour) said the higher education review leaves further education out. They pointed to waiting lists at Coleg y Cymoedd. Joshua Kim (Reform UK) raised the same waiting lists. Mr Campbell said Medr added £6.25 million and a decision follows in November. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Mr Campbell said a national skills audit will inform an autumn skills summit and that £150 million supports apprenticeships. Sam Rowlands (Welsh Conservatives) said employers need action now. Helen Jenner (Reform UK) said the statement said more about process than change. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Rowlands said only four apprenticeship frameworks are available in Wales, against about 170 in England. He said levy-paying firms outside those sectors cannot recruit apprentices. Catherine Cullen (Reform UK) described pension costs and lost college courses as barriers for small providers. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On young people not in education, employment or training, Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) and Mr Campbell pointed to the skills summit, junior apprenticeships and the Milburn review. Art Wright (Reform UK) cited a 17 per cent rate among 16 to 24-year-olds. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Vikki Howells (Welsh Labour) urged the review to back Labour's plan to decouple Wales's plan 2 loan interest rates from England's. Benjamin Hodge Mckenna (Reform UK) raised value for money and debt. Andrew RT Davies (Welsh Conservatives) asked about Treasury Committee recommendations. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Where the parties stand
Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru Members in Government describe universities as central to a stronger economy, and ministers have launched a higher education review. Mr Campbell backs a skills audit, a summit, more Welsh-medium provision and college and school collaboration. He says FE funding will be decided in November. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Welsh Labour
Labour Members, now in opposition, press for further education to be treated alongside higher education and for the Seren review to be explained. Ms Howells wants plan 2 loan rates decoupled. Mr Hedges asks for support for computing and life sciences at Swansea. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Reform UK
Reform UK Members stress university deficits, fee certainty and student debt. They back employer voice in skills, and Ms Jenner says the Government's statement is light on delivery. Stephen Senior asked for a strategy to create a top 100 university in Wales. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Welsh Conservatives
Conservative Members, including Sam Rowlands, say employers cannot wait for strategies and need action on skills shortages now. They question the narrow range of apprenticeships and ask about unfunded college places. Andrew RT Davies asked about student loan information and interest rates. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
What the government is being pressed on
1Will FE be reviewed and funded like HE? Lynne Neagle asked for a commitment to review FE funding. Mr Campbell said no decision on extra FE money has been made, and he will decide when November enrolment figures are known. Contributions: [1][2]
2Will the Welsh tuition fee cap stay in line with England's? Adrian Mason asked for a yes or no. The material provided contains no ministerial answer to this question, though Mr Campbell described fees as part of a balance in the review. Contributions: [1][2]
3What happens if a university fails? Mr Montgomery asked how ministers support universities. Mr Campbell said he gets near-weekly Medr updates and back-up plans exist. Adam Price described structured talks across Cabinet on universities and productivity. Contributions: [1][2][3]
4What will Seren become? Lynne Neagle questioned merging it with Reaching Wider. Mr Campbell said the manifesto commits to a review and that the stretch element for the most able will stay. Ruth Meadows said a stakeholder group will be set up. Contributions: [1][2][3]
5What will plug skills gaps now? Sam Rowlands cited electrician shortages. Mr Campbell said strategy must rest on evidence, a skills audit report is due in March or April, and apprenticeship support continues meanwhile. Contributions: [1][2]
What the public is asking for
Two open petitions ask for action on harassment at Welsh universities: one for a statutory duty to prevent sexual violence (1,612 signatures) and one to stop victimisation, bullying and harassment (282 signatures).
Who ministers are meeting
Ministers have met universities and their representative body, Universities Wales, as well as further education colleges, adult learning organisations and the union UCU Cymru. They have also met academics from other universities, and cultural and youth bodies including the Urdd.
In the Sixth Senedd (2021 to 2026)
From the previous Senedd's record, for issues that run across both. The rest of this analysis covers the Seventh Senedd only.
In the Sixth Senedd, apprenticeship funding and university finances were the main disputes. A budget cut to apprenticeships in January 2024 drew cross-party criticism and was partly reversed in February. Debate later moved to university deficits, job losses and the new commission, Medr.
In January 2024 Luke Fletcher (Plaid Cymru) and Laura Anne Jones (Welsh Conservatives) criticised proposed apprenticeship cuts. Vaughan Gething (Welsh Labour) said UK Government choices left the budget £1.3 billion lower. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On 27 February 2024 Mr Gething announced more funding. Paul Davies (Welsh Conservatives) said a £12.25 million cut remained. Mr Fletcher welcomed the reversal but called the sector's future precarious. Contributions: [1][2][3]
In 2024 Cefin Campbell (Plaid Cymru) cited job losses at Aberystwyth and Swansea. Tom Giffard (Welsh Conservatives) said hopes of a transformation fund were dashed. Vikki Howells (Welsh Labour) said universities manage their own budgets. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Medr became responsible for tertiary education, including sixth forms, from August 2024. Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru) raised falling sixth form numbers, especially in Welsh-medium schools. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Written by AI on 23 October 2026 from 189 contributions in the Senedd between 12 May 2026 and 20 October 2026, with the petitions and ministers' meetings on this brief. Each point links to the contributions it draws on; check them before quoting. How the analysis is written.
Where things stand
Statistics published by the Welsh Government. Each chart covers the years since the 2016 Senedd election, or as far back as the figures go, and marks each election since.
Young people not in education, employment or training
13.7%
2024 (provisional)
A year earlier
13.2%(2023)
The estimated share of 16 to 24 year olds in Wales who were not in education, employment or training, by year.
The estimates combine survey and administrative data. The latest year is provisional and is revised the following year.
6 commitments in the Welsh Government's Programme for Government 2026 to 2030 fall under this brief, in the Programme's own words. Under each is how often it has been raised in the Seventh Senedd.
The skills that Wales needs
Develop a Skills Strategy for Wales, informed by a national skills audit, to align skills provision, vocational education and qualifications with current and future economic needs. We will support a system that strengthens pathways into education, training and employment, helping people gain the skills, support and opportunities they need to enter, remain and progress in fair, secure and sustainable work.
Raised in 23 speeches and 2 written questions. Most recently on 21 October 2026, by Adam Price. Matched on: “skills audit”.
Take steps to create a financially sustainable tertiary education system that delivers high‑quality education, skills and research, supports collaboration across the sector, and secures long‑term value from public investment, starting with our independent review of higher education funding.
Raised in 10 speeches and 1 agenda item. Most recently on 30 September 2026, by Lynne Neagle. Matched on: “review of higher education”.
Work to ensure that young people in Wales can live, study and work in Europe – including by maximising the opportunities for Welsh students that stem from the UK rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme and examining options for the future of the Wales‑specific Taith programme.
Raised in 15 speeches. Most recently on 13 October 2026, by Mark Hooper. Matched on: “Taith”.
Develop a tertiary education system with clear and coherent learner pathways, supporting lifelong learning and enabling people of all ages to progress confidently between education, training and employment throughout their lives and to reach their full potential.
Raised in 2 speeches. Most recently on 15 September 2026, by Cefin Campbell. Matched on: “lifelong learning”.
Reform Academi Seren, building on its strongest elements to support more learners, including from disadvantaged backgrounds, to fulfil their potential and progress into higher education, training or employment including here in Wales.
Raised in 15 speeches and 1 written question. Most recently on 30 September 2026, by Sera Evans. Matched on: “Seren”.
Strengthen opportunities for young people to fulfil their potential including increasing access to vocational pathways such as junior apprenticeships and ensuring the contribution of youth work is better valued and understood.
Raised in 20 speeches and 3 written questions. Most recently on 12 October 2026, in a written question from Lynne Neagle. Matched on: “junior apprenticeship”.
Source: Welsh Government, Programme for government 2026 to 2030: New ambition for Wales, first published on 10 September 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mentions are found by matching the names of plans, bodies and schemes; a mention says nothing about progress.
From the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government's latest press releases and Cabinet statements on this brief.
The panel appointed to review higher education in Wales met for the first time today (19 October), marking the start of its work to examine how the sector is funded and organised.
• 253 additional nursing graduates are now in posts across NHS Wales following the graduate summit held by the Health and Care Minister in June. • Every nursing graduate at Aberystwyth and Bangor universities are now in…
Each bar is the share of that party's speeches and questions in the Seventh Senedd that touched this brief, so large and small parties can be compared. The upright line marks the chamber as a whole: 3.8%.
Ministers' meetings with outside organisations and their engagements on this brief, from the register the Welsh Government publishes every three months. 30 since the 2026 election; the latest:
25 September 2026
Prifysgol De Cymru / University of South Wales
Meeting, Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
23 September 2026
Inspire! Adult Learning Awards
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
22 September 2026
College of Sexual and Reproductive Health Wales
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health
21 September 2026
Professor Joe Yates Wrexham University
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
16 September 2026
Visit to Vet Education Centre at Aberystwyth University
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
15 September 2026
Interview with Jack Grove – Times Higher Education re HE Review
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
14 September 2026
Taith Meeting
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
11 September 2026
Celtic Freeport Colleges Skills Partnership Launch Event - Swansea University
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
Members whose entries in the Register of Members' Interests relate to this brief, matched by the brief's words and phrases. Members must register these interests, and having one doesn't mean anything improper.
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: Swansea University Nature of the post: Professor Has the employer tendered for, is it tendering for, or does it have a contract with the…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: Various universities in Wales Nature of the post: External examiner Has the employer tendered for, is it tendering for, or does it have a…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: University of Wales Press Nature of the post: Author Has the employer tendered for, is it tendering for, or does it have a contract with…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Member Name and nature of the employer: University of South Wales Nature of the post: Associate Director: UK Student Recruitment and Admission Amount of remuneration received…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Partner Name and nature of the employer: University of South Wales Nature of the post: Associate Director of Marketing (formerly Digital Marketing Manager) Date on which the…
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Saith Seren Welsh language Community Centre and Pub, Wrexham Role within organisation: Board Member
Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: Shares in Saith Seren Welsh Language Community Centre and Pub, Wrexham. Value of shares is £1.
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Bangor University Court Role within organisation: Member
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: Wrexham University Court Role within organisation: Member
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Member Name and nature of the employer: Bangor University Nature of the post: Director, Bangor University Students' Union Amount of remuneration received: Band 5: between £2,501…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Partner Name and nature of the employer: Bangor University Nature of the post: Lecturer
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Member Name and nature of the employer: University of South Wales Nature of the post: Funding Development Officer Nature and source of public funds received: Medr funding Amount…
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: Bangor University Nature of the post: Deputy/Interim Head of School Date on which the employment commenced: 1 January 2005
Remunerated Employment, Directorships etc.: Spouse Name and nature of the employer: University of South Wales Nature of the post: Student physiotherapy placement Nature and source of public funds received: Welsh Government…
Membership/Chairmanship of bodies in receipt of direct or indirect Senedd Commission or Welsh Government funds: Member Name of organisation: SPARK, Cardiff University Role within organisation: Innovator in Residence Additional information: Honorary position
The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) has been high on the political agenda over recent months. Each number represents a young person’s life and future.
The Welsh economy faces long‑standing structural challenges such as productivity, income and skills gaps, along with regional inequalities. Against an uncertain global backdrop, how might the new Welsh Government look to address these?
Following concerns about the number of young people in education or training after the age of 16, the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Committee undertook an inquiry into Routes into post-16 education and training.
, Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Scrutiny of the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning on the Representation of the People (Electoral Registration without Applications) (Electoral Reform) (Wales) Regulations 2026
Tagged for: “universities”Translated from WelshOfficial Record
Ben Mincher
, Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Scrutiny of the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning on the Representation of the People (Electoral Registration without Applications) (Electoral Reform) (Wales) Regulations 2026
, Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Scrutiny of the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning on the Representation of the People (Electoral Registration without Applications) (Electoral Reform) (Wales) Regulations 2026
, Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
Scrutiny of the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning on the Representation of the People (Electoral Registration without Applications) (Electoral Reform) (Wales) Regulations 2026
Tagged for: “apprenticeship”, “college”, “apprenticeships”Official Record
Month by month
1
51
51
222
87
May 2026JunJulAugSeptOct
Contributions tagged in each month of the Seventh Senedd. No sittings were held in August 2026.Show the numbers
Month
Contributions
May 2026
1
June 2026
51
July 2026
51
August 2026
No sittings
September 2026
222
October 2026
87
How this brief is put together
This brief follows the Programme commitments listed above and tags the record with the phrases below. Keyword matching can miss business that discusses the issue in other words, and can tag a passing mention.
Show the phrases it uses
A contribution is tagged when its English text contains one of these phrases. Capital letters don't matter, except in abbreviations, which must match exactly. It is also tagged when the title of the agenda item or question it was part of contains one, as long as the contribution is at least 30 words long. The brief is also tagged whenever one of its themes is.
The share of people aged 16 to 64 neither in work nor looking for work, over the twelve months to each date, in Wales and the UK.
From the Annual Population Survey, a sample survey: small changes from one period to the next may not be real. Each figure covers twelve months, so the figures for neighbouring dates share most of their months. They differ from the monthly headline labour market figures.
