SIONED WILLIAMS MS has asked Welsh Government for “urgent action” to protect the higher education sector in Wales.
Ms Williams’ calls come as another redundancy round has been proposed by Swansea University. According to an email sent to staff, 204 academic staff would be at risk of redundancy, and of these, 55 could lose their jobs.
In 2025, 400 staff left the University through voluntary redundancy, and over the last two years, the University has chosen to not appoint to over 200 vacant positions.
Ms Williams, speaking in the Senedd Chamber on Tuesday (January 27) said that this loss of expertise “is a blow that we as a nation cannot afford” due to role that universities play in “building Wales culturally and economically.”
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said: “The Higher Education sector is in crisis across the UK, but to only talk about this in UK terms is to miss the distinct effect this has on Wales.
“Our Universities are among the Welsh institutions with international recognition. They draw international talent into Wales.
“The efforts to establish them are a core part of our nation’s history. And their economic effect supports the regions they are part of.
“Indeed, it would be fair to claim that we would not have a Senedd without the role our Universities played in building Wales culturally and economically.
“That’s why I’ve called on Welsh Government to review the impact of their actions to date to support the workforce of our universities.
“I know from first-hand experience how the Higher Education workforce has faced years of being threatened, undermined and undervalued, and also years of inaction from the Welsh Government to support the vital contribution they make.
“We must now see urgent action taken by the Welsh Government to ensure that this contribution is protected, because it’s not only our students that will suffer as a result of this huge loss of expertise.
“Every Government Minister, and every Member of Senedd depends on the research and analysis that these academics produce.
“The effect of these job losses and what that means in terms of the contribution of our universities to local, regional and national economies is also a blow that we as a nation cannot afford.”
