PLAID CYMRU accused Labour yesterday of offering universities “false hope” after appearing to withdraw its emergency fund promise.

Labour Further and Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells U-turned on her previous comments in the Senedd last month suggesting that an emergency fund would be available to bail out universities in a financial crisis.

Plaid Cymru education spokesman Cefin Campbell had asked the minister whether the Labour Welsh government was considering a “rescue package” for universities in Wales, similar to that being developed in England.