The Finance Minister has refused to confirm she saw legal advice on her government’s tuition fees policy before agreeing the allocation of three point six billion pounds to fund it.
There are concerns over a possible funding loophole in Wales, following legal advice given to the Scottish Government. It suggested paying for Scottish students to study in England would constitute a breach of European Union law, unless it paid for other EU students as well.
Shadow Minister for Education, Angela Burns AM, has asked the Minister if she had seen legal advice given to the Welsh Government. Her answer included talk of ‘rigorous financial assumptions’ – but no ‘yes’.
Mrs Burns said:
“It’s a yes or no question. Either she’s seen it or she hasn’t.
“The Education Minister repeatedly claims the legal advice exists. If so, it might have been worth showing it to the colleague who gave him three point six billion pounds to fund the policy.
“The Finance Minister holds the reins to the Welsh pot of public money. It’s not unreasonable to assume she should see advice that relates to an incredibly large chunk of it.
“This policy’s costing already resembles a runaway train gathering bags of taxpayers’ cash. It hinges pivotally on the number of English students crossing the border to study here, which recently dropped significantly.
“I remain unconvinced that further problems will be avoided and the Finance Minister’s cagey remarks have not instilled me with any additional confidence.”
