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Western Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Medr says Welsh universities not at 'immediate' risk
Simon Pirotte, chief executive of Medr, which was established in August, gave evidence to the Senedd education committee's inquiry on issues facing higher education (HE). Medr, which has a near-£1bn budget, is responsible for funding and regulating post-16 education and research – including colleges and sixth forms. Mr Pirotte told the committee: 'It's an incredibly challenging time for institutions across the tertiary sector, every part… HE, local authority schools, FE [further education] colleges, apprenticeship providers, adult community providers – they're all facing financial pressures.' The former Bridgend College principal, who has been in education for around 40 years, emphasised that the 'very challenging financial context' is not unique to Wales. Appearing before the committee on May 21, Mr Pirotte told Senedd members he faced similar pressures previously, with increasing costs not met by an increase in income. Mr Pirotte explained that Medr uses externally audited financial statements to assess the challenges facing universities. 'And we do not believe that any institution in Wales is at risk of failure in the immediate short term,' he said. Pointing to data published by Medr last week, he said universities faced a £61m operating deficit in 2023/24 compared with a £21m surplus in 2022/23. He told the committee: 'This deficit of £61m does not account for the one-off restructuring costs. If you add that in you're probably talking about a £77m deficit.' Mr Pirotte estimated increases in tuition fees to £9,535 a year will generate an additional income of about £36m 'but this will not cover the costs'. On proposed cuts to courses, he stressed that universities are autonomous with 'subject provision driven by markets, by demand – what students want to study'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, said: 'Medr seems to be the answer to everyone's prayers but when it comes to the nitty gritties… in relation to feedback to ministers: how much of it is going to be taken on board and actually acted upon?' Mr Pirotte replied: 'We're certainly listened to – we have good, constructive dialogue.'
South Wales Guardian
24-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Medr says Welsh universities not at 'immediate' risk
Simon Pirotte, chief executive of Medr, which was established in August, gave evidence to the Senedd education committee's inquiry on issues facing higher education (HE). Medr, which has a near-£1bn budget, is responsible for funding and regulating post-16 education and research – including colleges and sixth forms. Mr Pirotte told the committee: 'It's an incredibly challenging time for institutions across the tertiary sector, every part… HE, local authority schools, FE [further education] colleges, apprenticeship providers, adult community providers – they're all facing financial pressures.' The former Bridgend College principal, who has been in education for around 40 years, emphasised that the 'very challenging financial context' is not unique to Wales. Appearing before the committee on May 21, Mr Pirotte told Senedd members he faced similar pressures previously, with increasing costs not met by an increase in income. Mr Pirotte explained that Medr uses externally audited financial statements to assess the challenges facing universities. 'And we do not believe that any institution in Wales is at risk of failure in the immediate short term,' he said. Pointing to data published by Medr last week, he said universities faced a £61m operating deficit in 2023/24 compared with a £21m surplus in 2022/23. He told the committee: 'This deficit of £61m does not account for the one-off restructuring costs. If you add that in you're probably talking about a £77m deficit.' Mr Pirotte estimated increases in tuition fees to £9,535 a year will generate an additional income of about £36m 'but this will not cover the costs'. On proposed cuts to courses, he stressed that universities are autonomous with 'subject provision driven by markets, by demand – what students want to study'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, said: 'Medr seems to be the answer to everyone's prayers but when it comes to the nitty gritties… in relation to feedback to ministers: how much of it is going to be taken on board and actually acted upon?' Mr Pirotte replied: 'We're certainly listened to – we have good, constructive dialogue.'
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Medr says Welsh universities not at 'immediate' risk
Simon Pirotte, chief executive of Medr, which was established in August, gave evidence to the Senedd education committee's inquiry on issues facing higher education (HE). Medr, which has a near-£1bn budget, is responsible for funding and regulating post-16 education and research – including colleges and sixth forms. Mr Pirotte told the committee: 'It's an incredibly challenging time for institutions across the tertiary sector, every part… HE, local authority schools, FE [further education] colleges, apprenticeship providers, adult community providers – they're all facing financial pressures.' The former Bridgend College principal, who has been in education for around 40 years, emphasised that the 'very challenging financial context' is not unique to Wales. Appearing before the committee on May 21, Mr Pirotte told Senedd members he faced similar pressures previously, with increasing costs not met by an increase in income. Mr Pirotte explained that Medr uses externally audited financial statements to assess the challenges facing universities. 'And we do not believe that any institution in Wales is at risk of failure in the immediate short term,' he said. Pointing to data published by Medr last week, he said universities faced a £61m operating deficit in 2023/24 compared with a £21m surplus in 2022/23. He told the committee: 'This deficit of £61m does not account for the one-off restructuring costs. If you add that in you're probably talking about a £77m deficit.' Mr Pirotte estimated increases in tuition fees to £9,535 a year will generate an additional income of about £36m 'but this will not cover the costs'. On proposed cuts to courses, he stressed that universities are autonomous with 'subject provision driven by markets, by demand – what students want to study'. Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, said: 'Medr seems to be the answer to everyone's prayers but when it comes to the nitty gritties… in relation to feedback to ministers: how much of it is going to be taken on board and actually acted upon?' Mr Pirotte replied: 'We're certainly listened to – we have good, constructive dialogue.'
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Wales Online
'My daughter's life has changed completely. She's living in fear' says mum of girl attacked by teens
'My daughter's life has changed completely. She's living in fear' says mum of girl attacked by teens The girl was one of four victims attacked by two teenage girls who made victims kiss their feet before kicking them to the head and body and trying to blackmail them The 14-year-old attackers appeared at Cardiff Youth Court (Image: MEDIA WALES ) The mother of a child viciously assaulted by two young girls in Bridgend has criticised their sentences as "too lenient" and says they should have been jailed. She said her previously outgoing daughter was now "a prisoner in her own home, living in fear" and too scared to go out after being set upon by the pair. The family have even considered moving to England to get away from the situation and are having to pay out £70 a week for private counselling to help the child cope with the trauma of being attacked. "We feel completely let down. My daughter is living frightened," her mother said, "My daughter is not the same as she was. She used to be outgoing and going out. Now she stays in in her room. She feels she is the one who has got the sentence." The attackers, both 14 and from the Bridgend area, but one of whom was just 13 at the time of the offences, both pleaded guilty to one allegation each of blackmail, two allegations of actual bodily harm and two allegations of assault at Cardiff Youth Court. The attacks on four victims took place between March 2 and 4 this year at Brynteg Comprehensive, Bridgend College, Pyle railway station and near to a leisure centre. Appearing for sentencing separately at a hearing at Cardiff Youth Court on May 13 they were considered persistent offenders. Article continues below Both were warned that prison had been an option owing to the level of violence used. Instead, one received a Referral Order and the other a Youth Rehabilitation Order. You can read full details of the attacks and sentences from the court hearing here Restraining orders lasting for four years were also imposed, banning both attackers from contacting any of their four victims, including on social media, or going to their homes. But the victim's mum said her daughter did not feel this protected her sufficiently. Mobile phone footage shown in court showed the attackers repeatedly kicking, punching and hitting their victims to the head, face and body as they yelled and swore at them. They also demanded they kiss their feet and threatened to share video of this on social media unless their victims paid them money. The level of violence was described as "wanton criminality" even by the defence solicitor for the younger of the two attackers. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . But the victim's mum claimed: "The sentence was too lenient because of the level of violence towards these four people. If an adult, or boys, had done that they would have gone to prison." Quoting the magistrate's words to one of the attackers, she added: "You are 14, you can turn your life around, but my daughter's life has changed completely and it does not seem to matter. "They did this and caused this and can now go about - it does not seem right. My daughter is living in fear. She is on edge all the time. She's a prisoner in her own home. "Her friends are supporting her but if she can't go out I am concerned she will get left behind." Neither the four victims nor attackers can be identified for legal reasons because of their ages, meaning the mother also cannot be identified. She believes that the sentences imposed by the court did not send a strong enough message to the defendants, or other young people, that crime is punished. "I thought my daughter would feel better after sentencing but she fears seeing them and bumping into them. I don't know why they are allowed to go free. "My daughter is too scared to go out alone now. She has tried a couple of times to go out but does not go to the places she used to or go shopping, even with friends. "She goes to people's houses when adults are present and not when they are not. That has restricted her life. She feels she is the one being punished and has got the bigger sentence. She does not feel with this sentence that she is protected. "I think the justice process is geared towards the person who did it more than the victims." "As a family our lives have changed. We pay £70 a week for a counsellor for her. The impact on the family is that everything has changed. "My daughter is not the same as she was. She used to be outgoing and going out. Now she stays in in her room. "We have thought about moving schools but she would lose her friends there. We were talking about moving to England to be away from the risk, it has been spoken about. But obviously that's not easy with jobs and things." "We feel let down by everyone." In victim statements read out in court on May 13 three of the victims described being unable to eat or sleep properly since the attacks, feeling too scared to leave their homes or go back to school and college. They said they were "petrified" their assailants would attack them again and described feeling "let down" by the justice system. One had self harmed and taken an overdose after being assaulted, another was diagnosed with PTSD and also concussion and one had bald patches where clumps of hair had been torn out by the attackers. The older of the two assailants was already on a youth referral order at the time of the attacks with a previous conviction for actual bodily harm. The younger received a caution for possession of a knife or bladed article in a public place in 2024, the hearing was told. She was handed an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order with an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Order to include a 30-day activity with supervision and a 9pm to 7am curfew. She was also barred from entering the area where the attacks took place and all education institutions apart from those she attends. She will also have GPS trail monitoring. On top of this a four-year restraining order was imposed banning her from contacting the four victims, including on social media, or going to their homes. Her parent was also ordered to pay all four victims £60 each in compensation on her behalf. The younger of the two was given a Youth Referral Order and restraining orders were imposed in respect of the four victims banning her from contacting them, including on social media, or going to their homes. Her parent was also ordered to pay each of the victims £60 compensation on her behalf. No court costs were imposed on either defendant. Article continues below Sentencing the girls separately, Jane Anning, chair of the bench, warned them that prison had been considered but the court had decided for the next toughest sentences available to them owing to the defendants' ages.
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Proposals for large-scale development with 800 new homes in Bridgend take a step closer
Proposals for large-scale development with 800 new homes in Bridgend take a step closer The site is set aside as part of Bridgend Council's Local Development Plan Land near the existing Bridgend College campus in Pencoed could be built on (Image: Google ) Plans for a large-scale housing development and primary school have been submitted to Bridgend County Borough Council's planning department. They could eventually see 804 houses built at a site east of Pencoed, on land adjoining the existing Bridgend College's Pencoed campus if given the go-ahead. It is the latest step forward for the plans after an outline planning application was handed in to the council in April 2025. This followed an environmental scoping report to set out what environmental impacts would first need to be looked at with the plans, as well as a public consultation which took place in 2024. The report read: "The layout provides 804 homes in a mix of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bed homes with a mix of apartments, terraces, semi-detached, and detached properties. The site of the current Bridgend college campus in Pencoed near to where new housing could be built (Image: Google Maps ) "This number is lower than the policy allocation for the site due to the incorporation of significant areas for sustainable drainage systems and the preservation of mature vegetation, which are essential elements of the development's sustainability and character." It adds that alongside the housing, of which up to 20% could be set aside for use as affordable housing, there could also be the creation of a new primary school as well as commercial and community facilities. Article continues below The site is currently set aside as part of Bridgend Council's Local Development Plan as a "strategic site for housing". Bridgend County Borough Council civic offices It comes after approved plans in 2023 for the creation of a new £70 million campus for Bridgend College, based in Bridgend town centre on the site of a former police station and car park at Cheapside. The campus is expected to be completed in 2026, and will be set out across two buildings. It will look to provide "exceptional" teaching and learning facilities for the area, as well as a 250-seat theatre, IT suites, hair and beauty salons, recording and dance studios. You can read more about the latest plans for the new college facility here. Article continues below A number of works to prepare for this major project, including the demolition of the former police station and a multi-storey car park are underway. For the latest Bridgend news sign up to our newsletter here
