Cardiff University cuts ‘could be repeated,' Senedd hears
She told Senedd members universities face an existential moment and the financial headwinds 'continue to blow strongly'.
Prof Larner said it is an enormously challenging time for the higher education sector – 'not just here in Wales but in the UK and, indeed, globally'.
Patrick Younge, chair of council, warned universities do not have a viable business model, with a tuition-fee freeze costing Cardiff £24m more than its competitors from 2017 to 2024.
He said: 'If you don't address the fundamentals, all of the Welsh universities will be going through this year on year on year because income is not rising and expense inevitably rises.'
Prof Larner said January's 'academic futures' document – which initially included a target to cut 400 jobs – was the beginning of a genuine consultation.
The vice-chancellor confirmed the final plan includes retaining nursing, music and modern languages albeit with smaller cohorts and new models.
She told the committee the initial target was scaled back to 220, with 151 academic staff leaving voluntarily: 'This leaves a final reduction of 69 full-time equivalents… by 2029/30. Compulsory redundancies are always a last resort.'
Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, questioned the wisdom in proposing changes only to backtrack, 'with resulting damage to staff morale'.
Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, pressed the witnesses about the university's plans to open a new campus in Kazakhstan while making cuts at home. Prof Larner replied: 'Transnational education is part of the future for UK universities.'
On staff welfare, Prof Larner said: 'We have seen… a little change in stress-related data. As is always the case, the majority of that… refers to personal, not workplace stress.
'But I absolutely understand the challenge here…. I take the well-being of our staff very seriously: this is not easy, change is really difficult.'
She criticised the University and College Union for 'blindsiding' the university by going to the press with concerns about a 'total health and safety crisis'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business News Wales
an hour ago
- Business News Wales
New Ukrainian and Welsh Blended Cafe Opens in Caerphilly Station
Two Ukrainian sisters who came to Wales to escape the war have partnered with the lady who sponsored them in the UK and opened a new cafe offering a fusion of Ukrainian and Welsh experience. Coffi Kava (coffee in the Welsh and Ukrainian language combined) opened at Caerphilly Railway Station in late July, offering a menu that blends traditional Ukrainian flavours with Welsh ingredients. Hanna and Liudmyla arrived in Wales from Ukraine three years ago and now proudly call it their second home. Sian, a retired NHS worker sponsored the sisters when they first arrived and through their shared passion for baking and good coffee have now opened Coffi Kava. The cafe is a celebration of culture, connection and local pride with Sian and the sisters committed to sourcing wherever possible Welsh-made products including Coaltown Coffee, a Welsh roastery who's aim is to revive jobs in former mining and industrial towns. Commenting on the opening the Coffi Kava team said: 'Opening Coffi Kava has been a dream come true for us. The first few weeks have been incredibly positive – we've felt so welcomed by passengers, local residents and the TfW team. Their warmth and enthusiasm have made settling in a joy, and it's been amazing to see people embracing what we offer. We're excited to keep growing and serving this vibrant community.' Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer at Transport for Wales also added: 'We're thrilled to welcome Coffi Kava to Caerphilly Station and into our wider network. This partnership is a fantastic example of our commitment to supporting local businesses and helping communities flourish. The Coffi Kava team brings something truly special to the station, blending Welsh and Ukrainian influences in a unique way. We're confident this will provide a great experience for our customers, whether they're commuting daily or visiting for leisure, by offering them a warm, welcoming space to enjoy. We look forward to seeing Coffi Kava grow and thrive as part of our network.' More Stories from Transport for Wales:
Business News Wales
an hour ago
- Business News Wales
Law Firm Signs 10-Year Lease at One Central Square after Rapid Growth
Browne Jacobson – Laura Hughes and Tim Edds Browne Jacobson has committed to a long-term future in the Welsh legal market after signing a 10-year lease for a larger Cardiff city centre office. The UK and Ireland law firm will move into a 9,500 sq ft space on the fourth floor at One Central Square in early 2026, providing space for more than 150 people. This will be Browne Jacobson's third Cardiff base in under three years since launching its seventh UK and Ireland office at 36 Park Place in July 2023, following 25 years of working with the Welsh public sector. Having started out with a team of seven, the Cardiff team has grown to 35 people, including seven partners and two legal directors delivering the full spectrum of legal services in Wales. It moved into a temporary base at 14 St Andrew's Crescent last year, with the intention of finding a long-term base to accommodate further anticipated growth. Central location and larger space for growing team Browne Jacobson's Cardiff team will now work with fit-out partner Office Innovations to design the workspace at One Central Square, which will also be the new Cardiff home for PwC, alongside existing tenants Tramshed Tech and Hodge Bank. Constructed to the BREEAM Excellent energy efficiency rating, the 10-storey building is between Cardiff Central railway station and the Principality Stadium in the city's premier business location. Tim Edds, Head of Cardiff and office co-founder, said: 'Ever since we opened an office in Cardiff, we knew we would need to find a larger space to accommodate our very rapid growth because of the high demand for our legal services. 'Our public sector work for clients, including the Welsh Government, Qualifications Wales and Natural Resources Wales, provided the platform on which to establish the office and helped us to cement these existing relationships while allowing us to build our full service offering to business via a series of strategic hires. 'This integration of our public sector and business expertise has enabled us to advise on key projects that will supercharge economic growth across Wales, while developing a client roster of market-leading Welsh businesses and organisations, fast-growth tech companies, private equity and venture capital investors, and high-net-worth entrepreneurs. 'Our ability to attract high-calibre clients stems from our team's deep understanding of the Welsh market, and ability to integrate the expertise and resources of Browne Jacobson's national platform seamlessly. We now look forward to continuing our growth at One Central Square.' Key appointments and projects in Cardiff Browne Jacobson's Cardiff office now covers all its departments and target market groups. Its service lines include planning and environmental law, health advisory litigation, corporate transactions, education, real estate, social housing, construction, and regulatory matters. It is also aligned with key Welsh economic drivers, with specialists in technology, energy, green infrastructure, health, education, aerospace and devolution. Key Cardiff recent appointments have included new corporate partners Tom Saunderson, Phil Pugh and Christian Farrow, real estate partner Rich MacPhail, and education legal director Trish D'Souza, who is President of the Cardiff & District Law Society. In addition, Browne Jacobson appointed what is believed to be Wales' first in-house pupil barrister within private practice, enrolling David Drew on a two-year pupillage. Landmark projects the team has advised on include the Celtic Freeport, which will regenerate heavy engineering sites in Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire for net zero energy production; Morlais, Europe's largest consented tidal energy scheme off the coast of Anglesey; and Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, the renewable energy development company for Wales. Browne Jacobson, which was earlier this year reappointed to the Welsh Government Commercial Division legal services panel, has also advised the Welsh Government on the Covid-19 Inquiry as the sole external solicitors and on reforming Welsh primary healthcare. The firm has helped to draft new regulations governing NHS GP contracts, which will promote greater access to GP appointments across Wales. Supporting the Cardiff business community The Welsh Government has also hosted students participating in the firm's award-winning FAIRE (Fairer Access into Real Experience) social mobility programme, run four times out of the Cardiff office in the past 12 months, with a day spent at the Senedd. The firm has been a keen supporter of the local business community via attendance and sponsorship of various events across Wales. It has partnered with nationally-recognised organisations such as Team Wales, Arts and Business Wales, Chambers Wales and the CBI, while backing the Law Society Wales' campaign to introduce level 7 legal apprenticeships. Laura Hughes, Executive Lead for Wales, said: 'Alongside bringing our full suite of legal services to Wales, we've been very keen to create a legacy here via our social mobility initiatives, which we believe can make a substantial difference to the perception of the legal profession and professional services among Welsh young people. 'We know that Welsh people love living in Wales surrounded by their family and communities. By signalling our long-term commitment to Cardiff and Wales more broadly, we're excited about being able to offer more opportunities for some of the nation's best legal and professional services talent to join a Top 50 law firm.' Avison Young acted for Browne Jacobson in the lease agreement transaction, while Knight Frank acted for landlord Cetza Trustees Limited.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can leave ‘legacy' in Wales' World Cup plan
The UK is the sole bidder to host an expanded 48-team tournament in 2035 – and the Football Association of Wales has targeted two venues among the 16 stadiums planned. The FAW wants one in the south of the country – probably Cardiff City Stadium rather than Welsh rugby's Principality Stadium home – and one in the north, Wrexham's redeveloped SToK Cae Ras home. Wrexham's Hollywood owners Reynolds and McElhenney are seeking to expand the Red Dragons' stadium, with a proposed 7,750-seater Kop stand taking capacity to around 18,000. The pair – who were at the Cae Ras on Saturday to watch newly-promoted Wrexham play their first home game in the Championship – said in May 2024 that development on all four sides of the ground could lead to 'between 45,000 and 55,000 people in there'. 'The Kop development is a significant first step and the vision for the stadium is incredible,' FAW chief executive Mooney told the PA news agency. 'What Ryan and Rob are doing is amazing. They are looking to look to invest in the stadium and build up the Cae Ras, which is the oldest international ground in the world, and there is a potential North Star for them. 'The city and the club have a chance to bring a World Cup to North Wales. What a story that would be. What a legacy for Ryan and Rob to leave Wrexham.' The FAW and Wrexham held talks over the Women's World Cup last week and Wales will host the 2026 European Under-19 Championship next summer. All games will be played in the north at Bangor, Colwyn Bay, Deeside, Denbigh, Deeside and Wrexham, with the Cae Ras hosting the final. 'It's our 150th anniversary next year, we were founded in Wrexham, and the story is very powerful for us,' added Mooney, who said the FAW will launch a 10-year strategy for Welsh football in 2026. 'The impact of Ryan and Rob has been manna from heaven for us, the timing of it. 'We've been very fortunate over the last few years to get to a men's World Cup, first women's Euro, and have our young teams starting to qualify for major championships. 'That has coincided with Ryan and Rob coming in. Wrexham has already started collecting a lot of our national team players, and will produce lots of players for us in the future with their investment in youth development and Academy. 'There is a symbiotic relationship there where we can create a lot of value for each other. 'People all over the world are talking about Wrexham and that inspires partners like FIFA, commercial bodies and Governments to get involved.' The UK's formal bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup will be submitted in November and likely to be approved by FIFA next year, with all four home nations automatically qualifying for the tournament.
