Plaid Cymru Debate - Higher education

NDM8818 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the announcement by Cardiff University that it will cut 400 jobs and close several degree courses including ancient history, modern languages and translation, music, nursing, and religion and theology.

2. Regrets:

a) the failure of the Welsh Government to establish a sustainable funding model for universities in Wales despite repeated warnings from the sector over many years;

b) the impact the announcement will have on staff and learners, and on the economy as well as Wales’s reputation as a nation of learning; and

c) the increased financial pressure caused by the UK Government’s decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions and changes to visa rules for international students.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop, in line with its devolved responsibility, a new higher education strategy to protect jobs and place the sector on a sustainable financial footing;

b) commission an assessment of the impact of the plans to close the nursing school on NHS nursing staff levels; and

c) publish an evaluation of the financial pressures faced by Welsh universities.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that Cardiff University has launched a 90-day formal consultation which includes proposals to cut around 400 academic posts.

2. Recognises:

a) the vital role of universities as anchor institutions in our communities and our economy;

b) the fundamental impact of a range of factors on universities across the UK, including Brexit, changes to visa requirements, higher interest rates and inflation; and

c) the additional in-year funding to universities in Wales which takes total grant funding to over £200 million in 2024-25, and the additional income generated by raising the tuition fee cap.

3. Calls on Cardiff University to:

a) ensure the principles of social partnership are central to the consultation process, so that the voices of trade unions, staff and students are heard; and

b) fully support staff and students affected by the proposals, including enabling all enrolled students to complete their courses.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the UK Government to identify sustainable solutions for the future of higher education;

b) work with Welsh universities to explore opportunities for collaboration on key provision; and

c) work with Health Education and Improvement Wales to ensure any decisions taken by Cardiff University do not impact on the number of nurses trained in Wales.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

In sub-point 2 (c), delete all after ‘contributions’.