£50M PLEDGED TO UNIS, COLLEGES AND STUDENTS

A £50MILLION coronavirus recovery fund is to be handed to universities and colleges in Wales to help save jobs and support students –but the body representing colleges says it won’t be enough.

The emergency package will be distributed by the Higher Education Funding Council Wales.

The economic and practical impact of the pandemic on applications, courses, research and finance has hit universities and colleges hard. At least two of the eight universities in Wales are looking at job cuts – Cardiff and Bangor.

Announcing the extra funding, Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “We will not have a full picture of the pandemic’s impact on universities until next term, but this funding will provide a vital support to our institutions in their preparations for the autumn.”

The money will be allocated and distributed by the Higher Education Funding Council Wales.

ColegauWales, which represents Wales’ 12 colleges as well as community based adult learning warned: “Although welcomed, the funding announced is unlikely to mitigate all of the challenges facing the sector as a result of Covid19.

“Colleges are having to plan to deliver balanced budgets and the ongoing impact of the pandemic remains a real challenge.”

Work, apprenticeships and exams at higher and further education institutions were thrown into chaos by lockdown when they were forced to shut. But while some universities have posted losses no colleges are currently in deficit, said Colegau Cymru.

Earlier this month the Institute of Fiscal Studies warned 13 unnamed UK universities face “a very real prospect” of insolvency unless they receive a government bailout.

Although the full impact of Covid-19 on universities won’t be clear until next term it is feared that international students will stay away and first year students defer to avoid disruption to learning and social life. Traditional Fresher’s week festivities won’t take place and large lectures have been cancelled.

FE colleges have warned they have not had the same support and guidance as schools have in terms of re-opening full-time next term.

Colleges began reopening just before schools last month and universities have begun to announce opening plans for next term, including face to face teaching and opening halls of residence.

£27m will be provided to higher education institutions, with £23m to support students in FE colleges and sixth forms.

Minister for Finance and Trefnydd Rebecca Evans said: “Our universities and colleges are major employers within their communities, and provide the skills and knowledge which are vital for economic growth.

“This package of measures will enable institutions to support young people to complete and continue learning that may have been disrupted by Covid-19, and support those who may have otherwise sought employment to stay in education to further improve their employability and skills.”