21 February 2025

“We welcomed Welsh Government’s announcement earlier this week of additional in-year funding for Welsh universities, which will provide helpful short-term support for the sector.

“However, the 2025-2026 budget published today does not appear to have changed and offers few solutions for the higher education sector into the next academic year. Given the recent announcements from our universities and the financial challenges we have been outlining for some time, it is difficult to see how this budget provides a sustainable position for Welsh universities going forward.

“If nothing were to change, Welsh Government runs the risk of universities entering the next academic year without the required support in place.

“Wales’ universities deliver a significant return on investment, generating over £13m of economic impact for every £1m of public money invested. Given the Welsh Government‘s focus on growing the economy across Wales, this budget would seem to be a backward step - not just for the higher education sector but for local economies and communities across the country.

“Universities Wales is calling on all parties to this budget to reconsider and provide sustainable support to our universities into the next academic year.”