Vikki Howells MS, Minister for Further and Higher Education
The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (“the 2022 Act”) created a new statutory framework for publicly funded tertiary education and research in Wales. It also established the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (now known as Medr) and dissolved the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.
Since Medr became operational in August 2024, its functions as provided for in the 2022 Act have been brought into force in phases. The next phase is planned for April this year. As a consequence of this, a small number of technical amendments are required to UK government legislation that extend otherwise than only to England and Wales, or that relate to matters which are reserved to the UK Parliament.
Section 150 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“GoWA”) enables the Secretary of State, by way of an Order, to make changes to UK government legislation in consequence of any provision made by an Act of Senedd Cymru or subordinate legislation made under those Acts.
The Secretary of State for Wales is using this power to make the technical amendments needed to UK government legislation in consequence of the 2022 Act and the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Commencement No.4 and Transitory and Transitional Provisions) Order 2024 made under that Act.
As such, the Secretary State for Wales laid a draft of The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026 before the UK Parliament on 2 February for approval.