COMMENTING on today's concerns by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales that jobs and courses may have to be cut at Welsh universities due to a funding squeeze, Shadow Education Minister Paul Davies AM said:
"A thriving university sector is vital for the Welsh economy, particularly during difficult economic times."By failing to invest in higher education the Assembly Government risks long-term damage to the Welsh economy, skills base, and the promotion of life-long learning.
"Year after year the Assembly Government has failed to put sufficient money into Higher Education in Wales. And year after year the funding gap with England and Scotland has widened.
"We are paying the price for that in cutbacks in courses and jobs which puts at risk our economic future."