COMMENTING on today's Assembly Government statement on university funding and student fees, Shadow Education Minister Paul Davies AM said:

"Now that Labour and Plaid Cymru have decided to introduce top-up fees in Wales we need assurances that this will not act as a barrier to students fulfilling their potential.

"The Higher Education sector plays an important role in the economic and cultural development of Wales and must also be allowed to prosper.

"For far too long the Assembly Government has failed to properly fund the HE sector, allowing a significant funding gap to grow between Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom.

"We are concerned that unless addressed urgently money could become a barrier to learning in Wales.

"Following today's statement questions also remain about expanding access to part-time learning and whether enough money is being set aside for the student debt right-off scheme.

"The Assembly Government needs to put higher education in Wales on a firm financial footing to sustain the highest quality learning environment for students."