Since the news about potential budget cuts to Cardiff University was announced in late January, the entire community has been left in a state of relative uncertainty.

The proposed cuts include the loss of 400 jobs within the university and the closure of courses including Nursing, Music, Ancient History, Religion, and Modern Languages. There is also the potential for departments to be merged which would lead to the creation of multiple new schools within the university.

Although these plans remain only proposals, the official statement from Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner suggests that some form of change will be made. Professor Larner said that “we know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are”. The university is experiencing an unignorable budget situation, and this has been reinforced by statements made by the Universities Wales group, who represent all Welsh universities. Paul Boyle, the chair of the group, remarked on BBC Politics Wales that he had “never seen a financial situation like this in the decades that I’ve worked in the sector”. The responses from university staff and students have been ones of outrage and fear. Calls have been made for the Welsh government to offer financial support to prevent these cuts from having to be made. In February a rally was organised by the University and College Union (UCU), with protesters forming outside the Senedd.

The response from the government seemed initially to be a clear refusal to give aid. Minister for Higher Education Vicky Howells stated that there “wouldn’t be any additional Welsh government funding available, unless we were looking to cut back from other areas such as the NHS, education, or public services that we all rely on”.

Despite this, Howell later announced 19 million pounds in funding to be given to universities across Wales. The funding is intended to help universities “meet capital costs associated with estate maintenance and digital projects to reduce operating costs”. Although seemingly positive, the aims of this aid do not appear to focus on providing stability to the staff or courses proposed to be cut.

Additionally, Howells has suggested that Welsh universities consider using their financial reserves to avoid job losses. She stated that “it’s something each university should be considering, and other universities have done that in the past to minimise job losses”.

Despite the 19 million pounds in funding, Howells’ comments suggest that the university will not be financially secured by government support. The university has previously argued that financial reserves “are not the same as money that can be freely spent”. This leaves the fate of the staff and courses proposed to be cut from Cardiff University in the same situation, with both the government and the university apparently unable to support their future.

The university has released no statements on the cuts since the initial proposal on the 28th of January, presenting matters as being far from resolved.

However, Howells’ contradictory comments over the government’s ability to provide financial support, despite being able to later on, implies more aid may be available. It remains to be seen if the government is willing to protect those at risk from being removed from the university.

Can the Welsh government afford to cut nursing when the country is already facing a shortage of nurses? To axe music in the capital city of “the land of song”? The university has stated that the final plans for approval of these proposals are “expected to be considered by University Council in June”.