Motion NDM7101 as amended:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises:

a. that Universities in Wales and the UK are independent and autonomous institutions;

b. the financial challenges facing the Higher Education sector across the UK, including Brexit and the decline in the number of 18 year olds;

2. Welcomes:

a. the introduction by the Welsh Government of the most generous student support system in the UK, and the significant increases in the number of part-time and post graduate students in Wales;

b. the introduction of a fair and sustainable funding settlement for Welsh universities and the commitment to increase funding to HEFCW in each financial year for the lifetime of this Welsh Government;

c. the sector-wide commitment in Wales to pay the real living wage to all staff, the increased openness and transparency in the reporting of senior pay, measures being taken to address the gender pay gap and the adoption of the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains;

d. that Wales is the best performing nation in the UK for student satisfaction;

3. Notes the Welsh Government’s remit to HEFCW to work in partnership with the sector to increase openness and transparency around the use of fee income and to strengthen governance and accountability.