Senedd Members criticise ‘colossal’ Cardiff University cuts

Senedd Members criticised Cardiff University’s plans to cut 400 jobs and courses including nursing, calling for ministers to intervene to prevent “educational vandalism”

Labour’s Julie Morgan warned that losing 7% of the university’s workforce would have a “devastating and lasting” impact – not only on individuals but on the city and on Wales.

The former minister, who tabled a topical question in the Senedd on January 29, said: “It will result in thousands of students not coming to Cardiff to study and this will have a knock-on effect on other industries which are reliant on students for their income.

“I’m particularly concerned that nursing is to be one of the main departments that will be affected. The nursing course at Cardiff University is ranked first in Wales and fifth across the whole of the UK.”

“According to the Royal College of Nursing, there are 800 to 1,000 students in the nursing school. To cut this number of nursing students when it’s estimated that we’re short of 2,000 nurses is … astonishing and the impact will be felt right across Wales.”

‘Dereliction of duty’

Ms Morgan, who declared an interest as her son-in-law works for the university, described the potential closure of the music school as a “huge blow” that will be felt outside Cardiff.

“This is a further blow to the arts in Wales,” she warned. “The head of the school has described this proposal as a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of Welsh cultural heritage.”

The Cardiff North Senedd Member warned the cuts could be the tip of the iceberg as she urged ministers to do everything possible to prevent the proposals coming into effect.

She told the Senedd: “These are the academic jobs that are going and I think the university has said there will be professional jobs that will follow.”

Calling for a focus on student support, she added: “You can imagine how devastated you might be if you’re in the middle of a course then told the course might be axed.”

‘Educational vandalism’

Natasha Asghar, the Conservatives’ shadow education secretary, described the proposed cuts as colossal, saying she has been bombarded with concerns from parents.

Ms Asghar, who represents South Wales East, said: “It was really, really disappointing to hear a Welsh Government spokesperson shrug off any responsibility yesterday by saying that universities are independent organisations.

“While that is true … is the government genuinely comfortable sitting on their hands and allowing this act of educational vandalism to be taking place here in Wales.”

Labour’s Jenny Rathbone said: “These are indeed radical plans but they can’t spend money they haven’t got and we are not responsible for the attitude of the previous [UK] Government that people were not welcome to come and study in this country.”

Ms Rathbone also raised concerns about the potential impact of cuts to modern foreign languages at the university, which is in her Cardiff Central constituency.

‘Smoke and mirrors’

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell warned Welsh universities are “on the brink” with the Cardiff University cuts a “shocking symptom of Labour’s chronic failure over 25 years”.

He asked: “What happened to ‘education, education, education’? I can tell you what, it’s been replaced by stagnation, obfuscation, and deterioration.”

Pointing to countless warnings on financial sustainability, the shadow education secretary accused Welsh ministers of “waving the white flag” and leaving the sector to “wither”.

Mr Campbell, a former lecturer, also criticised the higher education minister for “prematurely” announcing transformation funding that turned out to be “smoke and mirrors”.

Addressing the Welsh Government, his colleague Heledd Fychan asked: “What did you know and when? This hasn’t happened overnight … why have you let it get to this point?”

‘Anxiety’

Vikki Howells, Wales’ higher education minister, said the Welsh Government expects the concerns of staff, students and trade unions to be heard during the 90-day consultation.

Ms Howells, who herself studied history at Cardiff University, told the Senedd: “I do recognise that the uncertainty is going to cause anxiety for many staff and students.

“It is essential proper support for mental health and wellbeing are available … and I know student unions and trade unions will be making every effort to put that support in place.”

Ms Howells called for a UK-wide review of how higher education is funded to consider factors such as the impact of Brexit, UK treasury rules and changes to visa requirements.

The former teacher and assistant head of sixth form said: “I understand that some work is ongoing in the UK Government and I expect the Welsh Government to have the opportunity to contribute to this review, so that any findings are relevant to the needs of Wales.”

‘Disappointed’

Ms Howells, who was appointed in September, pointed out that Welsh ministers have raised tuition fees in an effort to put universities on a more sustainable footing.

“That’s why Welsh universities continue to be relatively well funded per student compared with other parts of the UK and indeed internationally,” she told the chamber.

She said total grant funding for the sector totals more than £200m in this financial year and ministers concluded a transformation fund for the sector was not required.

Turning to nursing, Ms Howells said the university has played an important role in the ambition of a sustainable NHS workforce.

She told the Senedd: “We are disappointed that nursing courses form part of these proposals and the cabinet secretary for health is working urgently with Health Education and Improvement Wales to ensure we can train the same number of nurses in Wales.”