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The Welsh government’s higher education minister, Vikki Howells, has stated that Welsh universities struggling with funding will not be receiving any extra financial support. It is up to the universities themselves to balance the books, Ms Howells said, adding that she was already in talks with the UK government about reforming funding for the sector. Cardiff University recently announced that they would be cutting 400 full-time jobs as a result of a funding shortfall.
BBC Politics Wales interviewed the minister and she said that higher education is currently facing difficulties, but this is largely beyond the control of the Welsh government. The minister said that unless the Welsh government cut funding from other areas such as the NHS, education, or public services that are relied on by the public, there is no chance for more funding. An additional £10m was added after the autumn budget to take funding to £200m, but this is all that is available.
The minister added that Cardiff University Vice-Chancellor, Wendy Larner, had told her that she hoped “significantly” fewer than 400 jobs would need to be axed. The Vice Chancellor is hoping that staff will work with their unions to prevent compulsory redundancy. Ms Howells concluded that she was looking at reforming higher education funding with the UK government.
According to the minister, she had already had a “positive” conversation with the UK government’s higher education minister, Baroness Jacqui Smith, on the issue and stated that she was determined to put the needs of Wales first in the work that she is undertaking. She also noted that they would be looking at issues such as migration, international students, and competition law, as well as addressing the rules that govern student finance arrangements by HM Treasury
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