NDM6731 United Kingdom Independence Party debate - University Finance
NDM6731 United Kingdom Independence Party debate - University Finance
NDM6731 Caroline
Jones (South Wales West)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Welcomes the UK Government’s proposed review of university finance as announced
on 19 February 2018.
2.
Notes the reports from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
titled: 'Over-qualification and skills mismatch in the graduate labour market'
and 'The graduate employment gap: expectations versus reality'.
3.
Calls on the UK Government and the Welsh Government to:
a)
work together to develop a sustainable model for future student finance;
b)
abolish tuition fees for STEM, medical and nursing students; and
c)
broaden the scope of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to review
degree courses for expected earnings, and publish these reviews to all
prospective students.
The
following amendments have been tabled:
Amendment
1 – Julie
James (Swansea West)
Delete
all and replace with:
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Notes the Welsh Government’s higher education funding review led by Professor
Sir Ian Diamond published on 27 September 2016.
2.
Notes that the Diamond Review found that living costs were the main barrier to
those making the choice about whether to go to university.
3.
Welcomes the new student finance package for 2018/19 launched by the Welsh
Government which means:
a)
students will receive maintenance support equivalent to the National Living
Wage – the most generous in the UK;
b)
every eligible student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 that they will not
have to pay back; and
c)
Wales is the first country in Europe to introduce equivalent maintenance
support across full-time and part-time undergraduates.
This
will be extended to post-graduate students in 2019.
The
Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance Arrangements in Wales
[If
amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]
Amendment
2 – Paul
Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete
point 3 and replace with:
Regrets
that Wales is experiencing a brain-drain, with more university graduates
leaving Wales than settling in the country.
Recognises
the success of Wales’s further education institutions in supporting the
retention of talent in the Welsh economy.
Regrets
the lack of level 6+ apprenticeship programmes available in Wales to upskill
the workforce.
Calls
on the Welsh Government to:
a) Provide
greater incentives for university graduates to settle in Wales once they have
finished their degrees;
b)
Encourage greater engagement between higher education and further education
institutions to promote talent retention; and
c) Promote
greater availability of level 6+ apprenticeships programmes in
Wales.
Amendment
3 – Rhun
ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
Add
as new sub-point at end of point 3:
d)
Implement the recommendation of the Diamond review for the Welsh Government to
incentivise students to remain in Wales to study, or return to Wales after
graduation.
Business type: Debate
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 14/06/2021
Decision due: 6 Jun 2018 by Plenary - Fifth Senedd
Lead member: Gareth Bennett MS