3. Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:39 pm on 3 November 2021.

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Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 3:39, 3 November 2021

Diolch, Llywydd. And I think, in response to the question, 'When should this be done, why now?', well, Professor Ellen Hazelkorn's report was published in March 2016. So, if not now, then why not yesterday, previous to that? But, of course, there has been a global pandemic in the meantime, and I think this might have been done earlier. 

I was listening to your response to Sioned Williams, and I haven't got my translation equipment, so I hope my understanding of Welsh was sufficient. But, you talked about the inconsistency, I think, of the fact that further education was responsible to Welsh Government and higher education to HEFCW. But what will happen with the new body is there'll be a huge range of demands for financial and other support from a range of bodies that do similar things at different levels, and may be competing with each other. How can that be resolved within one body? How will the transparency be provided and how will that be scrutinised to ensure that everyone in the new pot is treated fairly?