Research-based Education

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:16 pm on 2 March 2021.

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Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru 2:16, 2 March 2021

Thank you for that reply. Clearly, the Reid review recommended that, due to Wales's historic underinvestment in research and lack of private research economic base, the Welsh Government should lead on this by increasing funding via a future of Wales fund with some more significant funds—at least about £30 million. But, last year, your Welsh Government only put £7 million into this particular fund. Last year, your Government also cut forecast funding growth to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales for Welsh universities to cover more expensive premium courses, many of which are in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine area, and Wales also spends less gross on research and development than other UK countries, sadly. This has to change, in my opinion. Can you outline for us here today what you plan to do to rectify this underinvestment in research, particularly through universities and colleges, to make sure that Wales can be on a level playing field with the rest of the UK and the rest of the world?