Figures revealed in Senedd questions as political row intensifies ahead of election

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has come under political pressure after it emerged that more than £1.2m has been spent developing an anti-racism “virtual world” educational platform for colleges across Wales.

The figures were confirmed in response to written Senedd questions from Conservative MS Natasha Asghar, with ministers stating that £1,204,326.55 has been invested in the project since 2022 as part of a wider further education anti-racism curriculum programme.

The immersive platform — commonly referred to as the “metaverse” — was developed by further education colleges led by Cardiff and Vale College. Ministers say it has been used across all Welsh colleges as part of teaching designed to support understanding of racism, inequality and inclusion.

Responsibility for ongoing funding decisions now sits with Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, which oversees tertiary education funding in Wales.

Political criticism

The spending has been criticised by the Welsh Conservatives, who argue public money should instead be directed toward frontline services.

Natasha Asghar MS, the Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, said: “Spending over £1.2 million of taxpayers’ money on Labour and Plaid’s anti-racist metaverse is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

“At a time when waiting lists are spiralling, A&E performance is worsening and our school standards are slipping, this represents another example of Labour and Plaid Cymru prioritising ideology over frontline services.

“People across Wales want money spent on health, schools and social care, not on virtual worlds that do nothing to tackle the real-world challenges facing families and communities.”

Government position

The Welsh Government has previously said the project forms part of its Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, which aims to make Wales an anti-racist nation by 2030.

When the curriculum initiative was launched, ministers described inclusive education as a key part of improving opportunities for learners and tackling inequality across society.

Officials have also confirmed that since 2024 responsibility for funding decisions has moved to Medr, reflecting wider changes to how tertiary education is managed in Wales.

Questions remain

While ministers say the resource has been used across the further education sector, it is not yet clear how frequently the platform is accessed by students, what evaluation has been carried out into its effectiveness, or how the funding was allocated between development, technology and teaching materials.

Opposition politicians are expected to continue raising questions about value for money as further details emerge.

Political analysis

The row comes at a sensitive political moment, with Senedd elections scheduled for May and all parties seeking to draw dividing lines over public spending priorities.

For the Conservatives, the issue fits a broader campaign narrative focused on government waste, public services under pressure and concerns about what they describe as “ideological” policies.

For Labour and Plaid Cymru, however, the project sits within a long-term policy commitment to equality and inclusion in education, which both parties argue is central to improving outcomes for disadvantaged communities.

Whether the issue gains wider traction with voters may depend less on the educational content itself and more on public perceptions of spending priorities during a period of financial pressure on health services, local government and household budgets.

If the controversy escalates — particularly if questions emerge about procurement, usage levels or measurable outcomes — it could become a more prominent issue during the election campaign.

For now, it remains a developing political dispute rooted in Senedd scrutiny rather than a major parliamentary confrontation, but one that highlights the contrasting visions parties are presenting to Welsh voters ahead of polling day.

(Cover image: Stock photo)