TWO Gwent AMs say they have been reassured by the Welsh education minister that a future super-university in South East Wales will have a strong base in Newport.

Rosemary Butler and John Griffiths said Leighton Andrews assured them a cut in student numbers at the University of Wales, Newport was not a direct result of merger talks.

Cuts in funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) have meant student numbers at the university will fall next year from 1,500 to 1,200.

Outgoing vice-chancellor Dr Peter Noyes was previously reported to say it was difficult not come to the conclusion there was a conspiracy against the university to force it to merge with others.

Mr Andrews has backed a merger between Newport University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Glamorgan.

Newport West AM Mrs Butler said that while it was disappointing to see the city lose out in student numbers, discussions were taking place between the institution and funding body HEFCW to minimise the impact.

She said: “We were assured that the higher education offer for local people and the Gwent economy should stand to benefit from a better-run HE sector in Wales.”

The minister had reaffirmed there was no intention to see any campuses closed, according to Newport East AM John Griffiths.

He said: “Newport therefore does stand to benefit from being part of a stronger institution that is genuinely world class.”

A spokesman for Newport University said: “We continue to engage positively with the process over reconfiguration in the belief that a strong, new university would secure the best future for higher education and the region. Ongoing uncertainty is obviously disruptive to our staff and students so we hope that further details about the process will be confirmed in the near future.”