Latest news with #RuthJones
Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Times
Archbishop of Wales announces retirement after damning reports
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Andrew John, has announced his retirement 'with immediate effect', after calls were made for his resignation over reports on the culture within the cathedral in his diocese. The sudden departure of John, 61, marks the second time in six months that a British Anglican leader has had to step down, after the resignation of the Right Rev Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury in January. The Church in Wales is the Church of England's sister church. There are no suggestions that John, who is also Bishop of Bangor, behaved inappropriately himself, however reports published last month laid bare 'a culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred' at Bangor Cathedral as well as other failings. These included 'conduct in some areas — relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour — that did not reflect the professional standards expected in a Christian church'; 'the presence of hurtful gossip, both in person and online, which caused pain and division'; and 'weak financial controls, unclear reporting lines, and spending decisions that were insufficiently scrutinised'. The reports were only published in summary form, prompting criticism from Ruth Jones, the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, who said of John last month: 'I would like him to come forward and explain what has happened and how he is going to put it right.' Ruth Jones ROGER HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY Earlier this week, John, who became Archbishop of Wales in 2021, issued a statement which read: 'I wish to apologise for errors of judgment I have made that have caused anxiety and hurt. My apology to you all is heartfelt, unreserved and unequivocal.' John, who has also served as Bishop of Bangor since 2008, said that the reports on Bangor Cathedral revealed 'shortcomings and poor organisational practice which should not have occurred', and added: 'I deeply regret that they happened under my episcopate and I recognise I ought to have done more to ensure such failings did not occur.' Days later, on Friday night, John issued an additional statement which began: 'I am writing to you to announce my immediate retirement today as Archbishop of Wales. I also intend to retire as Bishop of Bangor on August 31.' He made no further mention of the scandal at Bangor Cathedral, and nor did the Bench of Bishops of the Church of Wales, who paid tribute to John by saying: 'We offer most sincere thanks, and our commitment to hold him and his family in prayer at this time and in the days ahead.' John's departure leaves both the Church in Wales and the Church of England in search of a new primate at the same time. • Welby says damning report that led to his downfall was flawed The BBC reported that six serious incident reports had been filed to Charity Commission related to charities linked to the Bangor diocese. Medwin Hughes, chairman of the Body of Representatives for the church, said he wanted to 'place on record my sincere gratitude for all he has achieved, together with my admiration for the integrity of his ministry to the people of Wales'. It is understood that a meeting was held this week in which the trustees of the Church in Wales declared that they no longer had confidence in the leadership of the Bangor diocese. John added in his statement: 'It has been an enormous joy to serve in the Church in Wales for over 35 years. I cannot thank you enough for the privilege of working at your side for the sake of our saviour Jesus Christ. I would very much like to thank the clergy and congregations of this wonderful diocese before I retire and I will be in touch again about the way in which this might happen.' Lord Williams of Oystermouth served as Archbishop of Wales before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Government warned that Welsh universities are in an 'precarious position'
Government warned that Welsh universities are in an 'precarious position' The alert from MPs follows a union claiming there is a real danger that a Welsh university could collapse as they face a £70m+ combined deficit, squeezed budgets and rising costs Welsh Affairs Committee chair Ruth Jones MP (Image: Mark Lewis Photography ) Welsh universities are in an "acutely precarious position", a parliamentary committee has warned. The alert follows a union claiming that there is "a real danger a Welsh university could collapse". The Welsh Affairs Committee is calling on the UK and Welsh governments to look at university funding again. Vice chancellors claim the current model isn't working as they face vast deficits and cuts. MPs on the Welsh affairs committee are calling on the UK Government "to think again on how universities are supported at a systemic level and to work with the Welsh Government to put them on a sustainable footing." Universities say they are struggling to make ends meet with fewer higher paying international students, increased costs and home tuition fees not covering the price of running those courses. Swansea University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Boyle says the current university funding model is "unsustainable" In a statement after taking evidence from of all Welsh universities the committee, chaired by Newport West and Islwyn MP Ruth Jones ,said said: "universities in Wales are in an acutely precarious position, as they face up to wide-ranging challenges including falling admissions among Welsh young people, declining international student numbers and tuition fees lagging far behind inflation." The statement went on to say that the committee noted that this week's Industrial Strategy acknowledged the critical role universities play in driving skills and innovation, while they also hold "huge economic and civic importance to communities up and down Wales". You can read details of what vice chancellors told the Welsh Affairs Committee here. Article continues below Professor Wendy Larner, Vice Chancellor of cardiff-university>Cardiff University, told the committee on June 25 that this is 'an existential moment for universities' and that universities 'need to be different for the future'. Professor Paul Boyle, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, added that universities are working towards financial sustainability within a system that 'does not lend itself to that sustainability'. Hearing from them and other vice chancellors the committee said: "The status quo is unsustainable. It's therefore crucial that the UK Government acts, together with its Welsh Government partners, as part of its promised major reforms for higher education." Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Despite recent rises in home tuition fees and an extra £18m+ from the Welsh Government this year for universities in Wales say this extra income was all but wiped out by a collective £18m+ national insurance bill and other rising bills. But critics, and some university staff say thay there is a risk in increasing domestic fees. A further rise may deter home students from applying at the same time as fewer international students want to come to university here. It could also make university less attractive to people from less well off households and affect widening participation. Article continues below Nearly every university is making cuts with hundreds of jobs shed, courses earmarked for closure and warnings of more savings ahead.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Committee warns Welsh universities in 'precarious position'
This statement comes after an evidence session with leaders of all nine Welsh universities, focusing on their finances and the challenges they face. Concerns raised include declining admissions from Welsh young people, decreasing international student numbers, and tuition fees that are failing to keep pace with inflation. The committee, chaired by Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, stressed the need for "funding security and long-term policy stability." They are urging the UK Government to re-evaluate how universities are supported, in collaboration with the Welsh Government, to ensure a sustainable future for higher education institutions. The committee also noted the significant role universities play in the Industrial Strategy, which acknowledges their contributions to skills and innovation. Professor Wendy Larner from Cardiff University described the situation as "an existential moment for universities," adding that they "need to be different for the future." Professor Paul Boyle CBE from Swansea University highlighted the difficulty of achieving financial sustainability within the current system, saying it "does not lend itself to that sustainability." The committee emphasised the unsustainability of the current system and called for action from the UK Government and its Welsh Government partners as part of "promised major reforms for higher education." They believe addressing these issues is crucial for the economic and civic well-being of communities across Wales.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
'We watched Gavin And Stacey on repeat': Richard E Grant goes on 'emotional' tour in memory of his late wife
Richard E Grant has shared an emotional video of his trip to Barry - the town made famous by the hit TV show Gavin And Stacey. He was joined by the show's co-creator Ruth Jones, who is best known for playing Nessa. They are both filming a new drama called The Other Bennet Sister, which delves into a character in Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice. Grant excitedly said "oh my god" as he stood outside Stacey's family home - and headed across the road to Uncle Bryn's. A trip to Barry Island soon followed to visit some of the sitcom's most famous landmarks, including Marco's Cafe and the beachfront. And the actor's visit wouldn't have been complete without Jones putting on her best Nessa voice - and asking: "Oh, Rich, what's occurin'? "It's really emotional being here," Grant said. "The last months of my wife's life, we watched Gavin And Stacey on repeat - and it just cheered us up endlessly." In 2021, Grant announced that his wife Joan Washington had died - eight months after she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'We watched Gavin And Stacey on repeat': Richard E Grant goes on 'emotional' tour in memory of his late wife
Richard E Grant has shared an emotional video of his trip to Barry - the town made famous by the hit TV show Gavin And Stacey. He was joined by the show's co-creator Ruth Jones, who is best known for playing Nessa. They are both filming a new drama called The Other Bennet Sister, which delves into a character in Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice. Grant excitedly said "oh my god" as he stood outside Stacey's family home - and headed across the road to Uncle Bryn's. A trip to Barry Island soon followed to visit some of the sitcom's most famous landmarks, including Marco's Cafe and the beachfront. And the actor's visit wouldn't have been complete without Jones putting on her best Nessa voice - and asking: "Oh, Rich, what's occurin'? "It's really emotional being here," Grant said. "The last months of my wife's life, we watched Gavin And Stacey on repeat - and it just cheered us up endlessly." In 2021, Grant announced that his wife Joan Washington had died - eight months after she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. At the time, he described his family's loss as "incalculable".
