Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:22 pm on 16 May 2017.
Jane Hutt
Labour
2:22,
16 May 2017
Mike Hedges, the importance, as you say, of universities as economic drivers is quite clear. The higher education sector makes a substantial contribution to the economy of Wales. Universities in Wales contribute more than £3 billion a year in gross expenditure to the Welsh economy, employ over 20,000 people, have an annual turnover in excess of £1.5 billion and, of course, contribute to sustainable economic growth in many ways—through knowledge creation developing a highly skilled workforce and through engagement with local communities. Clearly, there are important examples that the university sector can learn from across the world, but I think we have real opportunities, as the Diamond review recognises, that investment in higher education can bring those benefits for the economy.