Thank you, Presiding Officer. Could I begin by assuring David Melding that I for one will never be bored and tired of you using the F-word—federalism—here in this Chamber, David? Can I also thank Plaid Cymru for tabling the motion this afternoon and for the very many valuable contributions of Members? The debate has given us the opportunity to discuss and recognise the vitally important role of the higher education sector in Wales.

Our institutions are national assets that are held in high regard throughout the world, and it is important that we take time to recognise the significant contribution that they make to our economic, social and cultural wellbeing. I am committed to the local, national and international success of our universities. Therefore, this afternoon, the Government will support the motion. I and Welsh Government colleagues continue to work with university leaders and counterparts in other UK Governments to advance the interests of our higher education institutions in a UK, EU, and global context. This includes, but is not limited to, research, innovation and student mobility.

We share the views expressed by many Members here today that students, researchers and academics should continue to be able to access the benefits of international collaboration and exchanges and the important sources of funding that EU programmes provide. The Government, therefore, will not support the Conservative amendment, which weakens the commitment to pursue the best possible outcome for Wales and for Welsh HEIs from the upcoming Brexit negotiations.

Higher education is integral to our sense of self, our sense of history and inquiry, and to our place in the world. Our universities and colleges train our teachers, our doctors, our nurses, our linguists, our artists and our engineers and those who can inspire and train others to pursue their goals and to realise their dreams. But, as much as I am a cheerleader for Welsh higher education, it is also my duty to challenge and sometimes cajole vice-chancellors and chairs. I have spoken previously about the need for our institutions to recognise their civic mission and their importance to society. I want them to recapture their roles as stewards of community, city and country. They should be of their place and of their people. It is from this stewardship that universities will fulfil their national, civic and international roles and responsibilities and it is then our job, as a Government, to share the risks and benefits from investment, policy reform and future skills needs.

Now, there are many other challenges facing the sector, but they are similar to the other key sectors in facing the uncertainty from Brexit, the marketisation approach favoured by the Government in England, and wider economic and societal trends. Of course, there are also many opportunities, and our response to Diamond will introduce a stable and sustainable funding regime and broad system of student support that will be the first of its kind in the UK and possibly a first for Europe. I am also considering the report on post-compulsory education and training systems in Wales that was submitted by Professor Hazelkorn last year. I plan to announce the Welsh Government’s response to the report shortly.

The vote to leave the EU presents particular challenges for the HE sector, and not everything is within the powers of the Welsh Government. Therefore, just before Christmas, I and the Minister for Skills and Science convened a meeting of all four higher education Ministers from across the UK administrations. Although each of us represented different Governments, nations, and, indeed, political parties, we were able, I’m pleased to say, to find common ground, particularly on international higher education issues. I am keen to pursue this pan-UK collaboration and how each Government can work together and with our sectors. I am confident that we can then better support our universities with continuing and new relations and opportunities across the UK and with partners in the European Union.

It is, as has been said this afternoon, essential to remember that our universities operate in a highly competitive international sector. Institutions across the UK, Europe, and around the world compete for students, for staff and for research opportunities. So, whilst we continue to promote and protect the stability and sustainability of our sector, the UK Government must also—they have to—recognise that, although they spend the vast majority of their higher education time thinking about England and English issues, they do also have a UK-wide responsibility on international and research funding matters. The four governments of the UK need to work together on such issues, which further underlines the need for UK-wide representation on the new UKRI board. It simply does not make sense for our nation to walk away from the funding opportunities presented by Horizon 2020. We are the second biggest recipient of those funds behind Germany, and we also remember how important structural funds have been to the higher education sector in Wales.

Now, those who campaigned for an EU exit, and those who were persuaded by that campaign, did so on the promise that it would not be to the detriment of Wales, and I believe we are entitled to not a penny less of the structural funds money that has come to this country and has supported our Welsh institutions to be the institutions that they are today.

This motion today recognises: firstly, the importance of our HEIs in Wales for participation in EU programmes and accessing EU funding, as well as the importance of international students and staff; and secondly, the UK Government’s responsibility for ensuring that the HE sector is not damaged as a result of its approach to immigration policy and the EU.

Let me be absolutely clear, Presiding Officer: Wales welcomes students and staff from across Europe and across the world. Our universities and our communities benefit from that diversity and that dynamism. Our own students benefit from the opportunities such as Erasmus that have let them share their experiences across Europe. I and this Government will do all that we can to support the future of such opportunities and openness in the sector. It has been a disgrace that post-work visa opportunities have only been available to four places in England with no consultation with either this Government or the Scottish Government. Student figures have to be taken out of immigration and migrant figures, and there should be no linking of visas to the forthcoming teaching excellence framework. It would be disastrous.

The motion identifies important areas where universities need the UK Government to take action that will safeguard the future sustainability of the sector. The Welsh Government can support that cause and support the motion. Thank you.