Commenting on reports that the future of the University of South Wales’ Caerleon campus may be in doubt, contrary to Welsh Labour’s manifesto pledge not to close any campuses, Angela Burns AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said:
“Welsh Labour Ministers promised voters there would be no campus closures and parents, students and lecturers will expect those pledges to be kept.
“Labour’s aggressive forced university merger policy was pushed through with the commitment that no campuses would be closed and to u-turn now would suggest the University of South Wales merger deal was struck in bad faith.
“The facilities and courses available at the Caerleon campus are a key aspect of the University of South Wales’ appeal to prospective students and even speculation that it may close will deter potential students.
“The former University of Wales, Newport had a proud reputation for widening access to people who may not have otherwise considered Higher Education and the prospect of the closure of Caerleon campus would put all that good work at risk.
“If the axe is swung over the Caerleon campus, it will send a very clear message to the education sector that Labour’s starvation of Welsh universities by subsidising students is biting and that the Labour Party’s latest election manifesto is not worth the paper it’s written on.”
