Universities should use reserves to save jobs
The minister responsible for higher education in Wales has asked universities to "consider all options", including using its financial reserves, to prevent job losses.Vikki Howells, the Welsh government's minister in charge, announced on Tuesday a further £19m for the higher education sector, despite stating earlier this month that no extra money was available.It comes after the University of South Wales confirmed it would be launching a consultation reviewing its academic provision later this week and Cardiff University's plans to cut 400 jobs.However, critics have argued the extra funding, which is capital cash for buildings, would not solve Wales' higher education financial challenges.
In an interview with BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, Ms Howells said she wanted all universities - including Cardiff - to consider using their reserves as others have successfully used them in the past. However Cardiff University has previously said financial reserves "are not the same as money that can be freely spent". Ms Howells added she had already spoken to Cardiff University Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner several times and was due to speak with her again on Thursday."I've made it really clear to each Vice-Chancellor when I've met them individually and collectively that we in Welsh government want to see job losses as a last resort."Not all of them [reserves] are easily accessible but I do think it's something each university should be considering and other universities have done that in the past to minimise job losses."
Ms Howells' comments come after she announced a further £19m for the higher education sector, with £18.5m for estate maintenance and digital projects to reduce operating costs. She also said a further £500,000 would be given to "support the international recruitment and promotional activities of Welsh universities". The extra funding comes after Ms Howells' stated earlier this month that no additional money was available for the sector.In response to this, she said "things move fast in politics" and the additional funds was "not money that's been left over from the education budget". "I'm really pleased I've been able to secure it forward for the sector."
Despite the additional funding, critics have argued it will not address the major financial challenges facing the Higher Education in Wales. The University of South Wales confirmed on Tuesday it would be launching a consultation later in the week on reviewing academic provision. It is expected job losses will be announced.Bangor University is also expected to outline plans which could lead to job losses on Wednesday.Gareth Lloyd, Lecturers' Union UCU Cymru said: "Unfortunately, and whilst we are grateful for the ministers efforts, the amount offered will still not be enough to stabilise the sector".Cardiff University added it was "too early to say how this funding will affect Cardiff University, but it will be considered in our wider financial context."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Newscast The Former Judge Challenging The Supreme Court Gender Ruling
Today we hear from the woman who was the UK's only transgender judge. Laura speaks to Victoria McCloud, who stepped down from the job last year, about her challenge to overturn the Supreme Court unanimous ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law. In an extended interview, Victoria talks about why she thinks she could succeed, and about the ruling's consequences. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast'. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Laura Kuenssberg. It was made by Chris Flynn and Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Daffyd Evans. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
We transformed an old cow shed into an incredible Welsh home
We transformed an old cow shed into an incredible Welsh home 'You turn up and there's basically four walls and a tin shed roof hanging off it' The challenges are worth the effort when the result is this stunning conversion (Image: Adref Construction ) From a building with just four stone walls and an iron roof hanging off the structure to a stunning home that was a finalist in the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) 2025 Awards, this transformation project was always going to be a challenge. Hidden away off small country lanes and hard to locate in Pembrokeshire, open to the elements of wind, rain, and more rain, and literally just an empty stone shell waiting to be rescued and revived into life whilst complying fully with modern level of building regulations - who would take it on? Enter the 'dream team' of Luke Jones and Aled Harries, carpenters by trade but now specialists in project management and quantity surveying too that, when combined, have created the company Adref Construction, who have turned this rundown cow shed into an almost unrecognisable country home. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden ALSO: Abandoned building in stunning location could be transformed into luxury holiday lodges The transformation of the empty cow shed, which more recently was a pottery, begins (Image: Adref Construction ) Article continues below Aled says: "It was a traditional project in keeping with the nature of the building; the latest we knew about its past was that it was an old pottery at that it was located on the outskirts of the Preseli mountains. "The character of the building and using traditional materials on it was quite special - we saw the plans and the detail from the architects Rural Office, which showed it was a very high spec project incorporating traditional materials, which takes time and effort but that was a big tick for us." Luke Jones and Aled Harries who established Adref Construction (Image: Adref Construction ) Luke adds: "W e've done quite a few jobs with this architect company and so we know the level of detail they're working to - it's high end stuff which means the client's expectations are high too. "When you turn up and there's basically four walls and a tin shed roof hanging off it you know there's a long journey ahead but it's very exciting and great to get going with a project like this." Aled and Luke, both aged 36 and from Croesgoch and Eglwyswrw respectively, are local and know the area well but not even that prepared them for the brutal weather that plagued the project as winter approached. Inside the former barn as the roof construction above progresses (Image: Adref Construction ) Luke says: "I think it was one of the wettest winters in a while - it seemed to rain from September to spring! So the weather was the main challenge of the project because of the traditional products we were using like lime for rendering and plastering. "It's hard to use the traditional materials in the depths of winter when it's either too wet or too cold but you come across issues with these old cowsheds along the way." From above the two different levels of roof and materials used plus the solar panels are revealed (Image: Adref Construction ) Where other people might have been worn down by the wild Welsh weather, the duo's joy of working on such a special building in such a glorious corner of Wales was a constant uplift. Aled says: "S ometimes the sun would be out, sometimes it would be snowing, it had very adverse weather but to be working here, on my doorstep, was special and very peaceful. "The section of the Preseli mountains you can see from the back of the barn is where my father's side of the family were brought up and where they would play when they were kids and it's where I'm from too, so that was quite special for me." Aled has a soft spot for the pink tiles in the bathroom (Image: Adref Construction ) Another aspect to the build that the pair had to contend with, as well as the weather, was lost delivery drivers. Aled says: " The back roads leading to it are not the usually back roads people would go on, a lot of people would get lost trying to find it - we had a bit of fun when we had people delivering to the property getting lost and trying to find them, but I think once you find this road, it's all fine." The barn conversion's main build challenge was not just about its age and condition, but also about combining history with modern additions and with eco-friendly features. Luke says: "W alls weren't built back then as they should be today, it was never meant to be lived in when it was built, so there were jobs such as underpinning the footings, rebuilding walls from bottom to top but making sure it looks like the original wall. Kitchen is also pretty in pink (Image: Adref Construction ) "The project was definitely more challenging than most because it is difficult to incorporate traditional methods such as lime, breathable products with new heating systems, underfloor heating and air source heat pump, insulation - but trying to couple that then with old stone walls - you've got to make the old building as newly insulated up to existing regulations without changing the look of it. "The architect comes up with a lot of it of course, but then we have the challenges working through it to comply with building regulations and make sure products are compatible - it is a challenge but it is definitely worth it because now when you go in there now it's really well insulated, feels really warm, and the client says the energy bills are low. The lounge is Luke's favourite space due to the its stone wall and exposed beam character (Image: Adref Construction ) "The primary heating source is an air source heat pump which is obviously electric but we're offsetting that electric demand with solar panels and wood fibre insulation, not oil based so a lot better for the environment during production, so all the walls internally are clad with that insulation and then lime plastered." When you are working on a building every day and it is your constant companion, in your thoughts as well as being your physical work place, some builders feel like they form a special bond and a unique relationship with it, and for Luke and Aled when the day finally came to hand over the barn keys to the owner, they felt 'a bit odd'. The log burner keeps the lounge cosy but so does the insulation, double-glazing and underfloor heating provided by a heat source pump (Image: Adref Construction ) Luke explains: " It's quite weird, you spend so much time there - every day for many months and give it your blood, sweat and tears and then you're handing the keys over, driving off and not coming back. B ut at the end of the day as long as the client and architect are happy - that's the main thing - and it's a good feeling to know that you're done a good job." You know when a builder has fallen a little bit in love with one of their projects when they find it hard to target their favourite aspect of the finished property, and so it is for Aled. He says: "Outside, it's the guttering! You wouldn't hear someone say guttering is one of their favourite parts of a project but I just think this detailing is fantastic, it goes with the red windows. It is aluminium guttering so modern but looks traditional. Even the smallest room in the converted barn has been given careful thought and design details (Image: Adref Construction ) "Internally, it's the pink tiles up in the ensuite - I don't think they'd be everyone's cup of tea but for some reason I really like them, it's a lovely room too, but the kitchen is nice too though." Aled mentions the guttering, downpipes and windows which illustrates the level of detail that went into converting this old barn, as he mentions the owner spent a lot of time researching and finding a tone of red as close to the traditional shade of Pembrokeshire red as possible. For Luke, his favourite space inside the barn is the lounge that boasts an exposed stone wall, a log burner, a large arched window and exposed A-frame at the top of the double-height space. The roof gets a special mention too, and so it should, with the two original different roofline levels kept and one given Welsh slate and the other a corrugated aluminium crown which brings the building's agricultural past centre stage into its future. The mix of stone, wood and metal window frames, guttering and downpipes coated in a shade of Pembrokeshire red is a visual treat (Image: Adref Construction ) Taking on a build that takes a ramshackle, empty former farm building and converts it into a home to have dreams about is a challenge, and the duo have some sound advice for anyone contemplating it. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here Luke says: "Get the right architect, not every architect has the heritage skills and can produce the level of detail that Rural Office have, and then finding a building company that can work to the drawings because not everybody is able to work at this level of detail either. "Also, as a client, you need to have a flexible budget and be willing to spend for this level of detail because unfortunately it doesn't come cheap and be understanding of this." The builders fell in love with it, the client was thrilled, and the barn gets to live for many, many years to come (Image: Adref Construction ) Aled adds: "Take your time, go through the details with the architect and builders, don't jump straight in and then have regrets about your decisions. Budget is key and so we are always transparent about costs, we monitor it all and keep the client well informed, I think that's the key to our success." Article continues below The pair clearly know what they are talking about if the comments from the owner of this stunning barn are anything to go by, she says: "They are trustworthy, professional, and a pleasure to work with and have a rare eye for detail. We found working with Adref very easy, they stayed in contact with us and kept us in the loop with every stage of the building process and also a cost breakdown. We couldn't recommend them more highly." Find your own barn to convert or property for sale anywhere in Wales:
Powys County Times
8 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Home Office plans to spend £2.2bn of foreign aid on asylum support this year
The Home Office plans to spend about £2.2 billion of foreign aid to support asylum seekers this financial year, according to new figures. The amount of overseas development assistance (ODA) budgeted by the Home Office – which is largely used to cover accommodation costs such as hotels for asylum seekers – is slightly less than the £2.3 billion it spent in 2024/25. International rules allow countries to count first-year costs of supporting refugees as overseas development assistance (ODA). The figures, first reported by the BBC, were published in recent days on the Home Office website. The Home Office said it is 'urgently taking action to restore order and reduce costs' which will cut the amount spent to support asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. It also said it was expected to have saved £500 million in asylum support costs in the last financial year, and that this had saved £200 million in ODA which had been passed back to the Treasury. A total of 32,345 asylum seekers were being housed temporarily in UK hotels at the end of March this year. This figure is down 15% from the end of December, when the total was 38,079, and 6% lower than the 34,530 at the same point a year earlier. Asylum seekers and their families are housed in temporary accommodation if they are waiting for the outcome of a claim or an appeal and have been assessed as not being able to support themselves independently. They are housed in hotels if there is not enough space in accommodation provided by local authorities or other organisations. Labour has previously said it is 'committed to end the use of asylum hotels over time', adding that under the previous Conservative government at one stage 'more than 400 hotels were in use and almost £9 million per day was being spent'. Jo White, chairwoman of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday: 'We need to be looking at things like ECHR article eight. I don't think anything's off the table … including looking at new options such as processing abroad. 'So, we have to be open to see how we can move move that backlog as quickly as possible. I'm getting impatient. 'I know my colleagues in parliament are getting impatient and we're pressing the Government as hard as we can on this.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We inherited an asylum system under exceptional pressure and are urgently taking action to restore order and reduce costs. 'This will ultimately reduce the amount of official development assistance spent to support asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. 'We are immediately speeding up decisions and increasing returns so that we can end the use of hotels and save the taxpayer £4 billion by 2026. 'The Rwanda scheme also wasted £700 million to remove just four volunteers – instead, we have surged removals to nearly 30,000 since the election, are giving law enforcement new counter-terror style powers, and increasing intelligence sharing through our Border Security Command to tackle the heart of the issue, vile people-smuggling gangs.'
