UNIVERSITY leaders in Wales welcomed an £18.8 million cash boost from the Welsh government today after it emerged that the University of South Wales is expected to announce job cuts later this week.

Welsh Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) today. 

The Welsh government announced a cash injection of £18.8m for the nation’s higher education sector, saying it understood the concerns relating to funding and the effect this would have on staff and students.

Higher education minister Vikki Howells said the funding will contribute to the longer-term sustainability of universities.

University union UCU could not confirm what was happening at the University of South Wales, but welcomed the move.

A Cardiff UCU spokesperson said: “We would also urge the Welsh government to make any new funds conditional upon governance reform and protecting access to, and participation in, Welsh universities.

“Otherwise, they risk throwing good money after bad.”

A University of South Wales spokesperson said: “We have advised colleagues that a consultation will launch later this week regarding workforce implications of a review of our academic provision.”