Plaid Cymru: Stop Further Education Cuts

Plaid Cymru was the only party who attended a protest organised by University and College Union (UCU) on Tuesday 17th November between 12.30 and 2.00pm at Coleg Sir Gar. The protest was called to oppose the Welsh Labour Government’s educational budget cuts.

Helen Mary Jones, Plaid Cymru Assembly candidate for Llanelli said:

“On Tuesday, I attended a demonstration organised by the University and College Union with students and staff at Coleg Sir Gâr to voice our opposition to the Welsh Government’s further education cuts.

“In April this year the Party of Wales led a successful debate in the National Assembly on the importance of further education where we raised the impact of cuts to post-16 education on the further education sector.

The debate was welcomed by many in the sector including the UCU trade union.

“Plaid Cymru’s concern is after years of investment in further education and continuing education, the slash-and-burn approach by the Labour party will leave many of our colleges weak, and adult education in particular destroyed. We are in danger of sacrificing investment over several years to meet the needs of a budget for one or two years.

“Adult education will be the heaviest hit by these cuts leaving many unable to access opportunities to improve their employment chances. Further education up to the age of 19 also faces difficult times.

“The cuts in funding will result in compulsory job losses, changes to negotiated agreements and reductions in teaching hours. This will put hundreds of FE jobs at risk resulting in fewer staff and bigger class sizes. I strongly believe education should be about giving all our young people the very best start in life and that’s why I will be strongly fighting these cuts.”