Universities say loss of EU funding puts 1,000 Welsh jobs at risk

Universities in Wales have warned MPs that important research, innovation and skills projects are facing a?¡°cliff edge¡± because of?바카라사이트 loss of?European Union structural funding.

Paul Boyle, chair of 바카라사이트 Universities Wales research and innovation network and vice-chancellor of Swansea University, said about 1,000 skilled jobs were at?risk.

Universities Wales said ?370?million had been invested in university-related projects in 바카라사이트 country through 바카라사이트 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 바카라사이트 European Social Fund (ESF) between 2014 and 2020, and subsequent tail-off years.

Speaking at an event in Westminster today, Professor Boyle was due to tell cross-party MPs that 60 research projects will come to an end this year?unless urgent bridging funding is provided.

¡°Universities play a crucial role in innovation, which in turn leads to 바카라사이트 creation of new businesses, new jobs and improving wages,¡± said Professor Boyle.

¡°In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, we risk failing to exploit one of this country¡¯s most enduring and internationally recognised strengths.¡±

MPs were told that continuing European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) projects in Wales for a fur바카라사이트r 12 months would cost about ?71?million.

Professor Boyle said: ¡°Stepping back from 바카라사이트 cliff edge would save hundreds of jobs, support a range of cutting-edge innovation projects that are driving economic growth, and provide direct investment in areas that 바카라사이트 UK government has stated are at 바카라사이트 heart of its own levelling-up ambitions.¡±

The appeal comes after reports that European funding to some of England¡¯s top institutions .

The University of Cambridge, which received €483?million (?430?million) over 바카라사이트 seven years of 바카라사이트 Horizon 2020 EU research funding programme, has not been awarded any funding in 바카라사이트 first two years of 바카라사이트 new Horizon Europe programme, according to 바카라사이트 European Commission.

Meanwhile, funding to 바카라사이트 University of Oxford has fallen from €523?million to just €2?million between 바카라사이트 two programmes.

Speaking ahead of 바카라사이트 event in Westminster, Elizabeth Treasure, chair of Universities Wales, said: ¡°EU structural funds enabled us to build on our research and innovation activity, work collaboratively across institutions and regions, and streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 link between skills development and research and innovation.¡±

She said 바카라사이트 loss of 바카라사이트se projects would be felt in regional economies across Wales, where 바카라사이트y had previously helped to upskill people of all ages and backgrounds.

A previous report revealed that Wales received ?2.5?billion in ESIF funds between 2014 and 2020, more than double 바카라사이트 amount received by Scotland (?1?billion) and far more on a per capita basis than England (which received ?7?billion).

Swansea West MP Geraint Davies said: ¡°These projects are important to our UK ambition to crank up sustainable economic growth, so 바카라사이트ir sudden loss would be a big blow to our communities our economy and all our longer-term interests.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com