On Monday 4 May 2020, the Welsh Government announced a package of support measures for the higher education sector in Wales.
The key aspects of the support package include:
- Managing recruitment: The Welsh Government have proposed that Welsh higher education providers, alongside the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), agree forecast numbers which will apply to UK and EU undergraduates. This will not include post-graduates, part time students and international students. This is to help ensure stability in the 2020/2021 recruitment round and to ensure that this recruitment is fair.
- Maintaining stability for students: The Welsh Government have been working with UCAS and HEFCW to strengthen the admissions process and minimise disruption. This year’s clearing process will include new initiatives designed to provide personalised and instant choice to students.
- Student support: The Welsh Government have welcomed HEFCW’s Well-Being and Health Position Statement, which reaffirms a commitment to meeting and going beyond statutory compliance and delivering the Welsh Government’s well-being policy expectations. The Welsh Government have also provided additional funding for the ‘Health for Health Professionals Wales’ service, which is providing mental health support for NHS staff including medical and nursing students, and other healthcare students working to help the NHS at this time.
- International activity: The Welsh Government have raised concerns with the UK Government about how visa requirements and English language testing may negatively affect international students who are not able to comply as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
- Financial sustainability for providers: The Welsh government acknowledge the need for financial stability in the sector. They have provided HEFCW with a provisional grant letter from 2020 to 2021. The Welsh Government are working with the Student Loans Company and other UK nations to reprofile tuition fee payments for providers so that they will receive more cash in the first term and can therefore better manage financial risks. Universities can also access UK wide support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) and COVID Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF). HE providers that meet the published criteria for CBILS or CLBILS should approach their bank and begin to apply for the scheme.
- Research and innovation: The Welsh Government have endorsed the need for a joint Ministerial task force to address the impact of coronavirus on the research base. The Welsh Government intend to work closely with Ministers from DfE, BEIS, Scotland and Northern Ireland on the issue.