Despite being only 115th in total size of all authorities in England and Wales, the council is 16th in the League of Shame of job cutters with a cut of over a quarter of their staff – a move that unions say threatens not only services, but also the local economy and the prospects of people living in the area. This cut in jobs far and away dwarfs the cuts made by other authorities, even those in the top ten job cutters (see table).

Cardiff comes in at 15th in the Welsh list and 260th worst all authorities in England and Wales.

101,094 jobs have been lost in local authorities in England and Wales since the general election in 2010 as public sector cuts add to unemployment levels according to the latest official figures from the Local Government Association (LGA) a new analysis by GMB, the public services union shows.

At the end of the 1st quarter of 2010 there were a total of 1,584,219 full time equivalent employees working in local government in the non-teacher workforce. At the end of the 2nd quarter of 2011 this figure had dropped by 6.4% to 1,483,124 full time equivalent employees.

Kent County Council tops the list for the highest number of job losses with a cut of 3,107 jobs. Before the general election Kent County Council employed 25,512 full time equivalent staff. At the June 2011 this was down by 3,107 to 22,405. This is a drop of 12.2% on the workforce prior to the election. Next comes Manchester City Council with a cut of 2,549 jobs followed by Norfolk County Council (CC) 2,358, Cornwall CC 2,295, Leicestershire CC 2,291, Devon CC 2,110 and Lancashire CC 2,079. The figures for the top twenty councils are set out in the table below. The figures for 314 English council are set out in ‘Notes To Editors’ below. For the original data contact the LGA.

The data is for those directly employed in the non-teacher workforce. Some of the changes in the data for each council may include the number for staff being transferred from councils or back to councils. Queries regarding figures for individual councils should be raised with the LGA.

You can download the entire list from here.

A crowd of 60,000 is expected to attend the game with kick-off at 2.30pm

The best way to travel to the event is by public transport and coach wherever possible. Those bringing their cars into the city can ease worries over congestion and parking costs by using the Council’s park and ride services.

There are two park and ride sites, one at the Cardiff City Football Club (CF11 8HU – Yellow Car Park) and one at Cardiff County Hall (CF10 4UW – Green Car Park)

Both sites can be accessed from junction 33 of the M4. Signs should be followed from the M4 as they will direct drivers to available park and ride sites at time of arrival. The service costs £6 per car.

The car parks will have a staff presence from 8.30am and will open at 9am, with the first bus leaving at 9.30am. The last bus will leave the pick-up points at 6.30pm, with the car parks closing at 7pm.

Coach parking is also available at Sophia at the dedicated coach park with driver facilities, costing £10 per coach.

There is car parking available at Sophia Close, which is within walking distance of the stadium, at a cost of £10 per car.

The following roads will be closed from 12.30 until 5.30pm:

*       Kingsway from its junction with North Rd / Boulevard de Nantes to its junction with Duke St.

*       Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate St.

*       Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted).

*       Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor St (access for residents and traders will be permitted).

The following roads will be closed in their entirety:

Duke Street, Castle Street, High Street, St.Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.

Cornish Pirates forwards coach Ian Davies watched Matt play for the Students when they opposed their French counterparts at Richmond, and was impressed. Ian comments:-

“Matt is a gifted forward who shows great potential. Paul Westgate who coaches England Students  has spoken highly of him, as has Chris Davey, the head coach UWIC.

“After meeting with Matt we were left with the impression that he also has the right attitude and should blend in well with our developing squad”.

• 15. James Hook (Ospreys)
• 14. Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets)
• 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
• 12. Jamie Roberts (Blues)
• 11. Shane Williams (Ospreys)
• 10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets)
• 9. Mike Phillips (Ospreys)
• 1. Paul James (Ospreys)
• 2. Matthew Rees (Scarlets, capt)
• 3. Craig Mitchell (Ospreys)
• 4. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
• 5. Bradley Davies (Blues)
• 6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons)
• 7. Sam Warburton (Blues)
• 8. Andy Powell (Wasps)

The bench is shrouded in mystery, but John Yapp is likely to be the replacement prop, with Richard Hibbard stepping into Bennett’s sizeable shoes at replacement hooker. Former captain and falling star Ryan Jones may take a bench spot as a replacement utility back five player. Jones can fill in at lock, number eight or blind side flanker. This would probably mean no place for long time flanker Jon Thomas who fills a similar role as a utility second or back row man. Instead expect to see the unfamiliar face of Josh Turnbull, who has been turning in fantastic performances for the Scarlets at number seven.

The scrum half choice has to be either the feisty Tavis Knoyle, or the experienced Dwayne Peel. It’s the experience of Peel that gets him the nod, but Knoyle’s time will come – perhaps in this six nations. Rhys Priestland has been another outstanding performer this season, filling the very large boots of Stephen Jones at the Scarlets for much of this season with considerable aplomb. Priestland has a great boot and can run with the ball in hand, unlike Jones, whose main asset outside his place kicking and organisational skills is his defence, where he is rock solid. Able to fill the 10, 12 and 15 slots, expect Priestland to be Wales’s utility back bench man.

Another big question is whether Gatland will go for a fresh pair of legs for either side of the scrum, or include another back in the bench line-up. Given Wales’s perceived weakness in the front row after losing both Jenkins and the virtually irreplaceable Adam Jones, Gatland would be wise to offer options at both tight and loose-head. This would see either Scott Andrews or Ryan Bevington making a bow. There’s a case for both, but playing Bridgend boy Bevington means putting Yapp on the tight-head side of the scrum against the huge form of Andrew Sheriden, not a game-plan many Welshmen would relish. This can only mean the inexperienced Scott Andrews will get the nod ahead of Bevington – a player who has a huge future, but perhaps isn’t ready for the international arena just yet. Andrews has yet to turn in a performance that would class him as anything other than a make-do replacement. Wales will have to make do.

The Welsh team taking the field will have a solid look to it. Certainly, do not expect Paul James to take a backwards step. He might not have Gethin Jenkins’ engine, but the man can scrummage with the best of them and he’s defensively sound. Matthew Rees has steadily improved over the years to the point where he is possibly the best hooker in British rugby. If he has a weakness it is his lineout throwing and he appears to have addressed that problem in recent years. Craig Mitchell is an up and coming prop whose best years are ahead of him; expect great things from this young man in the future.

The Welsh second row of Alun-Wyn Jones and Bradley Davies is fearsome combination. The athleticism of the Jones combined with the powerhouse Davies will strike fear into the hearts of many a team. Both players are likely to feature strongly, with Wales looking to dominate the loose against an England pack who have suffer their losses as well.

The back row has a coltish look to it to outsiders, but make no mistake, there’s plenty of muscle in that division. New boy Dan Lydiate has proven to be one of Wales’s most effective performers, to the extent that many observers are making comparisons with England’s great Richard Hill. Clichés abound about him doing the “unsung work”, but the truth is, you rarely notice Lydiate in the heat of the game, but on review he seems to be everywhere. Shaun Edwards sees him as the “cement” which holds the team together and a huge performance from the 23-year-old Llandrindod Wells born Dragon will go a long way to securing a Wales victory.

On the other side of the scrum to Lydiate, Sam Warburton will continue his upwardly mobile ascent into the firmament of Welsh stars. Testimony to his considerable ability, he has replaced the ever-present until now, Martyn Williams, a man regarded as one of the finest flankers ever to wear the Welsh shirt. Williams once said of Warburton: “He has everything, and he doesn’t realise it yet”. It’s time for Warburton to realise his huge talents and secure the number seven for himself.

At the back of the scrum Andy Powell will have the chance to prove himself as one of Wales’s most destructive players. Having put the aberration of his golf-buggy adventure behind him by starting with a new club, the misfiring Wasps – Powell must use is all too evident athleticism to good effect and create havoc in the England ranks by running hard and direct at their defence. Anything less than a big game from him and not only will Wales suffer, but so too will Powell’s prospects.

Behind the pack, Wales are looking full of running, something that has been lacking in recent games, a fact that is is perhaps owed more to the backroom staff than the men on the field. The return of the huge figure of Jamie Roberts to the centre will provide much added impetus to a back line that has looked static at times. Roberts combined with Scarlets’ speedster, Jon Davies will be a handful and given a fair amount of ball, we will see Wales make hay amongst the English back line.

On the wings, Shane Williams returns to a collective sigh of relief from Wales fans everywhere, only for Halfpenny to injure himself and Morgan Stoddard to find himself in the number 14 shirt. Stoddard has converted from fullback to a wing, presumably because he has the defensive attributes of a revolving door. This is a massive weakness for Wales. The England back three and scrum-half have bags of pace and will exploit any gaps if they have decent ball. Stoddard needs to up his game in this respect, but put the ball in his hands and his never-say-die attitude and powerful running will threaten most sides.

Stoddard’s obvious limitations makes the choice of the mercurial James Hook at fullback all the more strange. Hook has a good boot and can run with ball in hand like few other players in Britain, but he is not noted for his defensive abilities. England will kick aerial balls at Hook all evening and unless Stoddard is sharing responsibility for the catching duties, the back three will be exposed. If England kick badly however, Welsh fans can relish the sight of Shane Williams, James Hook and Morgan Stoddard running the ball back at them. One way or another, there will be tries.

At halfback, Gatland has gone for stability… or not. Mike “Spikey” Phillips is about as unstable a character as we will have on the Millennium Stadium pitch and will vie with Stoddard and Hartley for the angry man award. Paradoxically, this is also an asset for Phillips. He has the ability to wind other players up and with Ben Youngs in such fine form, he needs everything he can use. If Youngs gets past Phillips then he’s away. The young man is a huge threat and Wales will no doubt be making plans to nullify him and will have taken note of the Scarlets “closing the door” technique which involves isolating the ball carrier by placing players between him and attacking pack, then turning the ball over. If, on the other hand, England can get a cluster of players, notably their back three and Youngs behind Wales, then it is an almost certain try time. Foden, Ashton and Cueto are all in excellent form and will be targeting the Phillips, Stoddard, Hook channels.

By contrast, you could not want a more expert defensive capability than Stephen Jones at number ten, perhaps second only to Jonny Wilkinson as a tackling fly-half, Jones is absolutely solid. He lacks pace however, and presents another avenue for Youngs to exploit, who together with the improving Flood represent a serious threat at half back.

The England team expected NOW CONFIRMED to take the park is:

• 15. Foden
• 14. Ashton
• 13. Tindall
• 12. Hape
• 11. Cueto
• 10. Flood
• 9. Youngs
• 1. Sheridan
• 2. Hartley
• 3. Cole
• 4. Deacon
• 5. Palmer
• 6. Wood
• 8. Easter
• 7. Haskell

Subs: Thompson, Wilson, Shaw, Worsley, Care, Wilkinson, Banahan.

The back three of Cueto, Ashton and Foden need no introduction and provide plenty of pace, although Foden has a habit of getting isolated, his first instinct is to run every ball, good or bad and occasionally this can get him in trouble. Wales will need to be at their very best at kicking into space and giving chase to deal with Foden. If he combines with Ashton or Cueto, they will make yards and the home team will suffer.

Tindall and Hape are the soft underbelly of the England team. Calling Tindall soft is perhaps a misnomer, but it is true to say that the veteran centre has little vision and is a traditional bosh it up the middle player, both in attack and defence. You know what Tindall is going to do, but dealing with him is another matter. If he manages to deal with Roberts and Davies in defence, then there will be more than a few surprised looks on the faces of the Welsh management. New Zealand import Hape is another matter, he is very much a modern player, being quick, elusive and good in defence. He is more than capable of holding his own in the battleground of the centres and may make life difficult for the Welsh backs.

The England front row are likely to be dominant. Not an unusual situation for an England front row you might think, but Wales’s first choice of Jenkins, Rees and Jones would have been expected to dominate. With injuries ruling out the two props this is unthinkable and England will be counting on a big performance from Sheriden, Hartley and Cole. If they fail in this respect, then it could be a long night for England… and Wales will notch up an eight year run of wins over the men in white in Cardiff.

The second row of Deacon and Palmer are distinctly vin ordinaire and will have their hands full in both the set pieces and in the loose with big carriers like Jones and Davies ready, willing and able to make inroads into the England defence.

New boy Tom Wood will step into a world he has only dreamed of when he takes his place on the Cardiff pitch. He is a confident, athletic flanker who has turned in some great performances for Northampton this season and could go on the secure the number six or seven shirt for his country on a permanent basis if he comes up with performance against Wales. Comparing him with Wales’s Lydiate will be interesting – expect both these players to be in the Lions mix when selection time comes. That puts Haskell in the unfamiliar role of having to wear number seven on his back. Haskell has been in great form for his club, but on the other side of the pack. He is not and has never been a natural open side flanker. Whether this is misinformation emanating from the England camp, things have got that desperate, or they are looking for something new to deal with the muscular threat of Warburton, only time will tell.

There is every reason to believe that the two flankers will actually start the game with the reverse numbers on their backs: Haskell at six and Wood at seven, but Martin Johnson, who is easing into his role as England team supremo quite nicely will no doubt have something up his sleeve and may well have drawn on the resources of more than a few heads to do something different. Gatland would be wise to do the same.

This is going to be one hell of a six nations opener and will have most pundits scratching their heads when trying to call it. Game on.

Both Tom and Jonny – an established member of the Wales senior men’s side, previously played for Swansea Bay Hockey Club but moved to Whitchurch to help with the Club’s aim of breaking into the England Hockey League Premier Division. 

Whitchurch are the only Welsh club offering men’s national league hockey and play in the England Hockey League West Conference, where they finished a creditable fourth last season.  The club’s first team are regular winners of hockey trophies and hockey medals, including the Welsh Championship, Welsh Cup and Welsh Indoor Cup.

Speaking at Cardiff Central station, Tom and Jonny said; "We are delighted to receive support with our travel arrangements between Swansea and Cardiff.  It makes life much easier and less stressful for both of us as we live and work in Swansea and need to travel to Cardiff to meet training and match commitments each week.  Not only is there a cost saving on petrol money, but we don’t have to battle through rush-hour traffic to make it in time for training."

Geraint Morgan, community affairs manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “As the only Welsh hockey Club playing in the England Hockey League, we’re delighted to offer our support to Tom and Jonny.  The sponsorship forms part of our policy to support organisations in the communities we serve and in this case, help them achieve their goal of reaching the premier division of English hockey.”

The Group took up this issue following responses to parliamentary questions, which revealed that implementation was the responsibility of individual NHS organisations and progress was not monitored centrally.

The Report’s Key Findings:

• Serious challenges to the delivery of psychological services, particularly CBT, to all service users with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, as called for by the Guideline
• Lack of focus on the requirements for more comprehensive services such as assistance with employment and partnerships with relevant local organisations
• Confusion and difficulties in providing improved physical health screening for service users with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
• Inconsistency in the services provided across Trusts and the potential for sharing of good practice in areas such as monitoring adherence to medication

The report highlights the difficulties mental health service users face in accessing what should be basic treatment and the importance in maintaining the growth in funding for mental health services.   The report is based on responses from over half of the mental health trusts in England and Wales.

A copy of the report can be obtained at: www.appg-mentalhealth.org.uk/appgmh-news.html

The move comes ahead of the usual December announcement of inflationary price increases over the Severn Bridges for the following financial year.

Commenting, Jenny said:

“A toll price hike would be another body blow to businesses, commuters and visitors to Wales, at the very peak of the recession.

“It would be deeply unfair and hugely inconsistent if the government decided to resist increasing the cost of the Humber Bridge in England, only to whack up the toll price of the Severn Bridge into Wales.

“The Severn Bridge toll is a extortionate and really puts people off travelling into Wales, whether for business or leisure. At this time of recession, the government should be helping business and tourism, and should resist increasing the toll any further.”

Lunch!

Just one of many prizes to be won in the NSPCC’s Dream Auction 2 is lunch with model Jodie Kidd. Christmas shoppers in Cardiff will have the opportunity to bid online for a range of money can’t buy lots at the NSPCC’s Dream Auction 2 which runs from Tuesday 1 December until Saturday 12 December.

Celebrities including Jodie Kidd, Peter Andre, Amanda Holden and Hugh Grant are among the stars to donate lots to help raise funds for the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal. Bidding at www.dreamauction2.co.uk starts at 99p and there are lots to suit all budgets.

Those looking for a dream gift this Christmas can bid for tickets to the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar party, a walk on part in Working Titles next romcom, a holiday on Richard Branson’s private Necker Island, two VIP tickets to the Spanish Grand Prix courtesy of Williams F1, and meet and greets with a host of celebrity stars. There are also a number of luxury hampers, must-have accessories and makeover experiences up for grabs.

Model Jodie Kidd said: “I’m always dreaming of exotic holidays, driving fast cars and parties. If you do as well, the good news is that all these prizes and more, including a lunch with me, are available in the NSPCC’s Dream Auction 2. Visit www.dreamauction2.co.uk and you’ll be helping to raise funds for the Child’s Voice Appeal.”

Former England cricketer and 2005 Strictly Come Dancing champion Darren Gough said: “If there’s one dream I have, it’s to do the foxtrot again, despite what the judges used to say about me. Make your dreams come true by visiting www.dreamauction2.co.uk.”

Nerys Sales, NSPCC community and corporate fundraising manager for South Wales said: “There are starting prices to suit everyone’s budget, and a fantastic range of must-have and money-can’t-buy lots. Dream Auction 2 is the perfect way to treat a loved one to a truly special gift this Christmas – and help us answer more children’s calls for help. The auction goes live on Tuesday 1 December so don’t miss out – and good luck!”

Dream Auction 2 is supported by eBay and organised by a committee of NSPCC supporters led by Dora Loewenstein, founder of event management company Dora Lowenstein Associates Ltd (DLA). The committee ran the first Dream Auction for the NSPCC in 2006. This year’s event is raising funds for the Child’s Voice Appeal, the NSPCC’s three-year appeal to raise £50 million to maintain and grow its helplines, text and online counselling services.

Celebrity lots:

• Two VIP tickets to the premiere of Hugh Grant’s new movie ‘Did You Hear About The Morgans’ and after show party.
• Meet and greet with Peter Andre and tickets to his Birmingham concert.
• VIP tickets and Meet and greet with Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden.
• VIP backstage tickets to the 2010 Strictly Come Dancing Live tour.
• Lunch with model Jodie Kidd.
• Join Jamie Callum on stage on his 2010 tour in a special performance.
• A recipe dedication in Sophie Dahl’s new cook book Miss Dahl’s Guide to All Things Lovely.
• Signed football and shirt from Manchester United star Michael Carrick.

About the Child’s Voice Appeal

The government has pledged £30m over four years towards the expansion of ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline, but the NSPCC needs the support of the public to raise a further £50m through the Child’s Voice Appeal, to make its vision to answer many more cries for help a reality. Everyone can support the Child’s Voice Appeal at www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk. To date the appeal has raised £20.6m.

About the NSPCC

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC’s purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.

About eBay

Founded in 1999, eBay.co.uk is the UKs largest online marketplace. There are currently 17 million live listings on the UK site and over 17m unique visitors per month (Nielsen / Netratings, June 2009) buying and selling brand new, unique and used items. eBay estimates that 178,000 people earn a primary or secondary living or run a business on the eBay.co.uk site.

David Lermon, Wales director of ICAEW

Confidence among business professionals in Wales has improved only marginally in the last three months, failing to keep pace with the rest of the UK, according to the latest ICAEW UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM).

A total of 70 senior business professionals in Wales were interviewed and the UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) from Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales recorded a Confidence Index score of 17.7, a rise of just 0.8 points from the third quarter of 2009. Wales is now nearly seven points below the UK average although year on year Wales’ Confidence Index score has increased more than the UK average.

The UK economy is undoubtedly in better shape: Michael Izza – Chief Executive of the ICAEW

Over the months of June, July and August more than a quarter of all UK job losses (24,000) occurred in Wales. However, firms in Wales are more optimistic about employment prospects over the coming year. They expect average number of employees to increase by 0.9% over the coming 12 months, in line with the UK average.

David Lermon, ICAEW director for Wales, said: “Results show clearly that while business confidence is improving, the speed of that improvement in Wales is slower than across many other parts of the UK.

“Job losses in Wales are running faster than other parts of the UK although the survey suggests that firms are optimistic that they will be taking on more employees during the next year.

“Although jobs are being lost there has been some good news with the opening of the £675m St David’s 2 shopping development in Cardiff, which has created considerable employment, and in North Wales Airbus is investing hundreds of millions of pounds in its business at Broughton.

“But public sector spending accounts for a higher proportion of overall economic output in Wales than the rest of the UK, so Wales is likely to be hit harder from the UK Government spending squeeze, imposed by Whitehall.”

Steep contractions in several key indicators of business health are expected to be followed by strong improvements over the next year. Having seen gross profits decline by 4.2% over the last 12 months – the steepest decline for any part of the UK – firms in Wales now expect surpluses to grow by 5.2% over the coming 12 months.

Sales volumes, which contracted by 4.7% over the last year – also the largest contraction in the UK – are now forecast to grow by 4.9%, the fastest regional growth rate forecast this quarter. If delivered, some of this expected increase will be the result of a strong rebound in trading following a particularly harsh decline. The positive outlook for sales is also reflected in the fact that the region’s Confidence Index score has increased by 70 points since Q4 2008, which is more than the UK average.

Welsh firms expect turnover to rise by 5.4% on average over the coming year, the strongest rate of growth forecast by any part of the UK this quarter.

Business professionals in Wales also expect capital investments by their own firms to pick up over the coming year. A 2.5% increase is forecast, reversing the 1.4% contraction seen year to date.

Reflecting the fact that output is currently operating close to 6.0% below capacity, firms in Wales expect price pressures to remain relatively weak. After seeing 0.7% growth over the last 12 months, Welsh businesses expect selling prices to rise by 0.9% over the coming year. For the first time, expected price growth is above expected growth in input prices for the coming year, which is at a record low rate of 0.4%.

Wales is likely to be disproportionately affected by an expected period of fiscal consolidation, as public spending accounts for roughly 67% of Welsh output, second only in the UK to Northern Ireland. The NHS – which employs around 90,000 staff in Wales, making it the largest single employer in the region – has already warned of cuts in jobs and services because of funding pressures.

Further, firms in Wales remain considerably more likely than in the rest of the UK to complain about the level of government support for business. Roughly one in seven firms (14%) report level of government support for their business to be a greater challenge to performance than a year ago, a larger proportion than any other part of the UK and compared to a UK average of 6%.

Michael Izza, Chief Executive of the ICAEW, said: “The UK economy is undoubtedly in better shape than this time last year and the improvement in confidence shows the relief businesses feel to have kept their heads above water. Although we are still on track for a return to economic growth, the recovery is very fragile and will take time. Tightening of fiscal policy, the return to the 17.5% VAT rate, continued difficulties accessing finance and a budget Christmas by consumers are all potential threats to this recovery.

“Businesses are backing the recovery but banks are not. Access to capital continues to be a problem despite government reassurances and a willingness to invest by companies. We cannot emphasise enough the fragility of the recovery. This month’s Queen’s Speech and the upcoming Pre-Budget Report are effectively the starting guns for next year’s General Election. Policy makers need to be careful that the measures they announce support the recovery rather than unintentionally threaten it.”

Jenny Randerson

Commenting on the publication of the Assembly Government’s Higher Education Strategy: For Our Future, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Education Minister, Jenny Randerson AM said: “Higher Education does need to change and I welcome the intentions behind this strategy, but without real detail on improving research and development and exploiting this to build a better economy, we will never build a world class Higher Education system.

“I am also deeply concerned that the parting gift from Jane Hutt that will be remembered, will not be this announcement but will be the devastating financial cuts in the draft budget and the ever widening gap between funding for Welsh Universities compared to England.

“Next year, Labour and Plaid Cymru are slashing 5% from across the University budget when they should be freezing central administration budgets and investigating the misspending of money in the NHS.”