Latest news with #Larner
ITV News
27-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Cardiff University set to scale down music and languages degrees but scrap two others
Cardiff University has announced it plans to close its ancient history and religion and theology degrees, and scale down its music and modern languages courses. The university announced plans to make 400 staff – around 7% of the workforce – redundant and reduce a number of degree courses, initially including nursing, in January, with that number then reduced to a proposed 286 in April, after a number of staff had already opted for voluntary redundancy. In an update sent to staff on Tuesday, Cardiff University's vice-chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, said it now proposes to retain its offerings of modern languages and music research and education but with revised structures and a smaller staff base, within a new School of Global Humanities. That new school would continue to offer undergraduate and postgraduate music degree programmes, but with revised entry targets and content, while also continuing its offering of modern languages programmes, but to smaller cohorts and primarily in French, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. But degrees in ancient history, and religion and theology, would come to an end after students enrolling this September for 2025-26 complete their courses. Professor Larner said: "Having considered the case very carefully, we have decided not to revisit the proposal to cease named single and joint honours degrees in ancient history, and religion and theology. I do understand that this will be very disappointing news for all academics who are deeply committed to these disciplines. "We will of course continue to offer our current set of degree programmes for 2025-26 and are committed to teaching all students entering next September until the completion of their degree in these subjects." Addressing staff, the vice-chancellor acknowledged the "anxiety that the Academic Future project has created for many of you, and I hope that today's announcement brings some reassurance. There is much work yet to be done to realise the ambitions of this new School, and I hope you will feel able to play a part in this." Professor Larner added that the new School of Global Humanities would seek to expand the university's translation degree provision, continue to offer Languages for All "with the languages offered there shaped by student demand", and develop a "new suite of degree programmes to fulfil the ambitions of the new School – challenge-oriented, inclusive, co-created and committed to advancing the Public Humanities agenda". The new proposal will now be put to University Council on 17 June for its approval. In April, the university announced that an 'alternative proposal' had been put forward which would see the university retain adult, child and mental health nursing, with a smaller number of undergraduates being recruited.
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
More Cardiff University staff told jobs are no longer at risk but 650 remain under threat
More Cardiff University staff told jobs are no longer at risk but 650 remain under threat Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner said she realised many staff would still be worried. A total of 133 staff have taken redundancy, voluntary severance or left since widescale cuts were announced in January Professor Wendy Larner is vice-chancellor of Cardiff University (Image: Jared Gray ) Cardiff University has issued an update on redundancies with 650 staff still under threat of losing their jobs. Since widescale cuts were announced in January a total of 133 staff have taken redundancy, voluntary severance or left, Vice Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner said in a message to staff this morning. The initial plan to cut 400 full time equivalent posts now stands at 138 as a result of people leaving, taking redundancy and changes in departments being agreed. Staff in the schools of healthcare sciences, medicine, biosciences, English, communications and philosophy, whose jobs were at risk, have been told this morning that their jobs are now safe and their departments are no longer threatened with redundancies. The university had already agreed earlier this month not to make any compulsory redundancies before the end of the 2025 calendar year as part of a deal which saw the threat of strike action and a marking boycott by University and College Union (UCU) members lifted. The threat of shutting the school of nursing was also lifted. In her message to staff today, Professor Larner acknowledged the last three months had been a "really difficult time for many colleagues". She said she did not "underestimate the distress and worry that continues to be experienced by our community as we address our academic and financial sustainability." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The university has said it faces a deficit of £31m+. Like other institutions it said it had been hit by pressures including rising costs and a drop in numbers of higher paying international students. Article continues below Professor Larner said the university had now been able to remove the schools of healthcare sciences, medicine, biosciences, and English, communications and philosophy out of the scope of the cuts consultation. This was thanks to a combination of the number of staff in those schools taking voluntary redundancy or leaving and the university's acceptance of alternative proposals submitted by staff. "Removing these schools from scope means that the number of staff in the 'at risk' pool has now reduced to 650. We have also made significant progress in reducing the academic FTE (full-time equivalent) target we had set," she said. "We had initially proposed a target of 400 FTE. I am able to confirm we are now seeking to reduce FTE by 138. That reduction will take place over a number of years." Professor Larner explained that the number of jobs being shed had changed during the cuts consultation for a number of reasons. The university accepted alternative proposals which would see schools teaching higher numbers of students than in the original proposals – for example, chemistry will retain the BSc medicinal chemistry degree, mathematics will create a new programme, and the university will continue to offer nursing - that means the need to keep more staff in those departments. The alternative proposal to keep the school of nursing open meant lowering the number of job cuts by 40, for example. However, staff and unions have pointed out that many staff had already left the school of nursing when it was initially earmarked for closure. The university's controversial plan to open a campus in Kazakhstan in September has meant staff will be needed there which has also reduced the target of FTE job cuts by 34. The Vice Chancellor said she appreciated that many people were still in scope of potential redundancy and worried about the threat of losing their jobs: "I know that this offers little comfort for those of you whose roles remain at risk. We have, of course, now committed to no compulsory redundancies in 2025, and reconfirmed that compulsory redundancies will only ever be an action of last resort in future years. "We are continuing to review the schools that remain in the 'in scope' pool with a view to removing as many staff as possible from this pool. " The UCU has been approached for comment. Article continues below
The National
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scots opposed to independence less trusting after Operation Branchform
Experts at an independent academic polling team, Scottish Election Study, surveyed how a scandal could affect public trust in Scottish institutions when people are reminded of it. The study was designed to compare the perceptions of one group who was given an explanation of the SNP scandal from BBC reporting and the other half was not. It was found that the scandal most affected the perceptions of people who hold unionist views. The SNP's support dropped during the long-running police investigation into its finances, that has now closed. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – who had been arrested by police during the Operation Branchform probe – has been cleared of any wrongdoing while her former partner Peter Murrell has been charged with embezzlement. Jac Larner, of Cardiff University, presented his findings at a Stevenson lecture at Glasgow University, and said: ''Campervangate treatment' made respondents less trusting of Scottish government ministers and civil servants. 'This effect is not consistent among all citizens: for people who support independence we observe no significant changes. Instead, the effect is driven by strong reactions by those who oppose independence.' The study also found the public has lower levels of trust in UK institutions and representatives than Scottish ones. 'The Scottish government and Holyrood are generally more trusted than pretty much any UK-level institution. This has been the case for some time, pretty much right back to the foundation of devolution,' Larner explained. READ MORE: Why Labour's care visa reforms just won't work for Scotland He added: 'If you think of yourself as a supporter of the SNP, you trust the Scottish government far, far, far more than the UK government.' Larner and his team also surveyed the public on parties held in Downing Street during the Covid-19 emergency for which Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were fined. Partygate, Larner said, 'made respondents less likely to trust UK ministers and civil servants to behave ethically in their jobs'. He said: 'The treatment made respondents more likely to trust MSPs and Scottish government ministers. We have clear evidence of constitutionally motivated reasoning but in an unexpected direction: negative effects for UK actors were substantially bigger among unionists.'
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Welsh Labour falls to third in poll as voters say 'they haven't got a clue'
Welsh Labour falls to third in poll as voters say 'they haven't got a clue' A new poll has shown Labour could fall to third in the Welsh Parliament with Plaid Cymru taking the most seats and Reform UK in second place. The Conservatives would fall to fourth (Image: PA ) A new major poll suggests that Labour is heading towards its poorest performance in the history of devolution, potentially dropping to third place behind Plaid Cymru and Reform UK in the next Welsh Parliament elections. Wales Online readers have been debating the issue in our comments section. Released on the eve of the Senedd election anniversary, which will occur on 7 May 2026, the Barn Cymru poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University indicates a grim forecast for Labour, with their predicted share at just 18%, trailing behind Plaid Cymru's 30% and Reform UK's 25%. Should these figures translate into actual votes, Plaid Cymru would emerge as the largest party with an estimated 35 seats, while Reform UK could secure around 30 seats. Labour would be left with 19 seats, and the Conservatives, who are currently the second-largest party, would fall to fourth place with nine seats. The Lib Dems are expected to gain three seats. The data reflects a shift in support away from Labour towards Reform UK and other left-wing parties, highlighting a general dissatisfaction with both the UK and Welsh governments. It also reveals that traditional Labour voters may opt for Plaid Cymru during Senedd elections. Reacting to the poll results, First Minister Eluned Morgan described them as a "serious wake up call" for her party. She emphasised the gravity of the situation, saying, "That is a wake up call if ever we've seen one. It is a serious challenge for us. It's a serious challenge for UK Labour and I think it means that we all need to think very seriously about delivery on the things that matter to the people of Wales." Dr Larner of Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre described recent polling as a "substantial shift" from what has been seen previously. He noted that while polls are only snapshots, they do indicate a trend across the UK. Article continues below Commenter Felix core says: 'We do not need an English nationalist party, Reform, in charge of the WELSH Senedd.' Busa1 thinks: 'The Welsh Labour Party has virtually destroyed Wales during the years since being put in power, all they seem to care about is getting rid of all industry, planting trees and wasting our money on the huge white elephant of Cardiff airport.' Dm68 agrees: 'Labour 'have to deliver on the things that matter to the people of Wales'. Trouble is, it is blindingly obvious to everyone that they haven't got a clue what the people of Wales want!' EUandMe thinks: 'I'll vote for any party that allows me to choose a candidate rather than a party. And if the party also promises to abolish the extra waste in the Senedd then that would be a bonus.' Deankb states: 'I fully expect Labour to have a terrible election in Wales. For far too long, they've taken the electorate for granted. Their decision to cease all road building comes from a party that obviously doesn't commute to work very often. Having said that, I would never, ever vote for Farage. Brexit has been a disaster for the UK, despite Nige telling us we'll be free of the EU & will be drowning in all the extra cash coming our way. He has no plan for the NHS, or education, or anything.' Dm68 pleads: 'For goodness sake don't vote for Plaid. They are Labour in disguise and have shored them up on numerous occasions including the disastrous 20mph.' Jeff2509 replies: '20mph is working to save lives and money. How is that disastrous?' Alex Peters asks: 'If Labour cared about saving lives, why did they take the Winter Fuel Allowance off pensioners?' Gar880 retorts: 'They made it means tested rather than universal. Is there a conversation to be had about the threshold to qualify? I believe so. Also that wasn't Welsh Labour that brought in that specific policy. You don't even know what you're raging against.' 1anj thinks: 'Change is great news. Just what the country needs.' Ironside states: 'I'll be staying home come the next WAE. None of them are worth voting for. None of them will do anything to improve Wales. They will all say they'll do this and that just to get your vote but will never deliver. I've been around long enough to realise what they say and what they are two different things.' Ethel the Frog writes: 'We need a serious look at independence.' PJ372 disagrees: 'Independence would absolutely ruin us, we have no currency of our own, no industry, no army or defence, the list goes on.' Diane1711 points out: 'Don't forget, we had over a decade of Tory ruling and all the money has gone to those who didn't need any more in the first place! They made a mess of all of it, including the NHS and, unfortunately, it's going to take Labour a long time to put things right.' How do you think Wales will vote at the next elections? What do you see as the future for Wales? Have your say in our comments section. Article continues below
