Welsh Government still to grasp the scale of the threat facing universities

Over the last twelve months this column has consistently highlighted the challenges facing tertiary education in Wales.

As we all know by now, universities are facing the most severe financial pressures in their history, further education colleges are trying to keep pace with rising costs on static budgets, and the wider skills ecosystem is struggling to meet the needs of a changing economy.

In addition, employers are reporting persistent shortages, productivity is still stubbornly low, and young people face a future in which access to high-quality education and training has never been more essential.

Against this backdrop, the Welsh Government has finally announced a new ministerial advisory group to address the challenges facing the sector and while it is to be welcomed, the question