CaSE has written to the Minister for Education and Skills in the Welsh Government, expressing concerns at proposed HEFCW cuts in the Welsh Government’s draft Budget.

CaSE has written to the Minister for Education and Skills in the Welsh Government, expressing concerns at the 32% cut to the budget of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) proposed in the Welsh Government’s draft Budget in December.

The letter is co-signed by eight other organisations from across the science and engineering community; The Royal Society, Learned Society of Wales, Association of Medical Research Charities, Institute of Physics, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Chemical Engineers, Society of Biology, and Royal Society of Chemistry.

HEFCW has a vital function investing in research in Welsh universities particularly through the Quality-Related funding stream. CaSE understands that we are in a difficult financial climate, with the 2015 Spending Review settlement equating to a real-terms cut for the Welsh Government Budget, but investment in research remains an investment in the future.

Copies of the letter have also been sent to the First Minister, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Chair of the Finance Committee, and the Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales.