Geraint Davies Labour and Cooperative MP for Swansea West has called in Parliament for UK Government to provide funding both to protect jobs and projects in Swansea University and to scale up Swansea market-ready innovation to create new jobs and exports.

Speaking to the Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt he said
”I know the leader will be a great supporter of green growth and may know of the innovative work in Swansea University and in creating hydrogen from off-peak renewables and from wasted plastic. But does she know that Swansea University now faces a cliff edge in EU funding that threatens 50 projects and 270 very highly skilled jobs? So will she talk with her colleagues at cabinet level and look towards putting forward time for a debate on this so that we do have the investment in existing projects and jobs, and we do have the money to scale up market ready innovation to generate jobs and exports for the future?”

Speaking later in the Commons Geraint said
“We must safeguard and build jobs of the future that both create economic growth and help to tackle climate change. I’ve raised economic opportunities and risks at Swansea University twice this week in parliament, today and at BEIS questions, and amidst the musical chairs and talk of financial markets.”

Professor Paul Boyle, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, said “At a time when investment and growth is top of the economic agenda, we are seeing projects which make such a valuable economic contribution in local areas across the UK facing closure.”

Commenting on Swansea, the Vice Chancellor continued “At Swansea University alone, we could see over 50 EU funded projects close, with the loss of 270 high skilled roles. These lost roles, lost talent and lost business support will hit the local economy hard.”

Once the existing European Union funding runs out universities, including Swansea University, are likely to be forced to pause projects and may result in the need to cease altogether. This would undermine our universities’ ability to support local skills, innovation, and business.

Geraint Davies MP said “we specifically need bridging funding to sustain existing jobs and honour the government pledge of ‘not a penny less’ when we leave the EU. We must invest in a stronger fairer greener future and support Swansea University’s great work with investment in existing projects and jobs and by scaling up market ready innovation to generate jobs and exports for the future.”