The TUV’s East Londonderry spokesperson Alliste Kyle has said that proposed redundancies at Ulster University are not the result of a funding crisis at Westminster but “a political choice made at Stormont”.

Allister Kyle, who is also a Causeway Coast and Glens councillor, said: “Regardless of what the Sinn Fein Minister may claim the public know the truth. Higher education has always been a devolved issue for Stormont and therefore, to seek to pass the buck to Westminster when it comes to this matter, simply does not wash.”

He was speaking after reports of 450 redundancies began to emerge on Wednesday, April 15. It is reported that staff were informed of the proposed voluntary scheme by Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew during an online meeting.

“For years nationalist politicians have campaigned for and focused their attention on Magee and Coleraine has been neglected,” Cllr Kyle continued.

TUV East Londonderry spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle said: “Rather than washing her hands of the matter, Ms Archibald needs to find the necessary funding required by Ulster University Coleraine."

placeholder image — TUV East Londonderry spokesman Councillor Allister Kyle said: “Rather than washing her hands of the matter, Ms Archibald needs to find the necessary funding required by Ulster University Coleraine."

"It is now the height of hypocrisy for the Minister to seek to blame London when the campus in the Minister’s own constituency has announced plans for such catastrophic job losses.

“Rather than washing her hands of the matter, Ms Archibald needs to find the necessary funding required by Ulster University Coleraine.

"One needs to remember that the Scottish Government has been able to maintain a world class higher education system while avoiding tuition fees entirely for domestic students. So we don’t need to look too far from home to find a system which isn’t facing the challenges created by Stormont.

"“This isn’t a funding crisis from Westminster — it’s a political choice made at Stormont.”