Higher Education funding crisis: LSW statement
Recent announcements of further job losses across several of Wales’ universities are a huge concern to us. Above all, we are alarmed for individual staff, many of them Fellows and members of our Early Career Researchers Network, who face uncertainty and life-changing decisions.
As Wales’ National Academy, we have spoken previously about the difficult financial context within which our universities operate. Economic strain, the impact of immigration policy on international student numbers, and Brexit have all contributed to this UK-wide crisis. Underinvestment in higher education is a false economy, as we highlighted in our response to the Welsh Government’s latest draft budget consultation, and the recent Medr strategy consultation. It jeopardises the significant contribution our universities make to much-needed economic growth.
We therefore welcome the Welsh Government’s recent announcement of additional funds for the sector. This is an important development that will provide much needed support in the short term.
We believe Wales’ universities are anchor institutions within their communities. That role must be strengthened, not weakened. Research, output and spin-out ventures from across disciplines, be it the science and engineering base, arts and humanities, all contribute to improved health outcomes, a strengthening of Wales’ social and cultural life, and economic growth.
In light of the above, and at a time of a record budget for the Welsh Government, we will continue to make the case for further increases in medium and longer term funding for the sector. This would be a wise investment in our nation’s future.
We recognise that many of the financial issues are UK wide. We are therefore pleased to note that the Welsh Government’s Minister for Higher Education will be working closely with her counterpart in the Westminster Government. We urge them to work on providing a long-term solution for the problems faced by universities in Wales and England.
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