National Assembly for Wales

I met with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales earlier this week to discuss learner transport.

We are committed to ensuring all children access an inclusive education. Our wide range of programmes include support for children with ALN and important funding schemes like the pupil development grant and school essentials grant, which support children in low-income households to participate equitably with their peers.

A sustained improvement in education standards is my top priority. Our learners deserve the best possible education. That begins by ensuring they are in school with high-quality and experienced teachers who have high expectations for them. I will publish my priorities for improving educational standards in the autumn. Curriculum and ALN reform remain central to this. 

As a Government, we are collectively committed to reducing absenteeism in schools. We have asked the national attendance taskforce to build on Estyn’s findings from their review, which highlighted transport as a barrier for some to attending school.

This Government is committed to increasing access to affordable housing in Wales. We are tackling homelessness, both preventing people from losing homes and working to deliver more affordable homes as quickly as possible.

Local authorities in Wales are democratically accountable bodies. Audit Wales, Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales assess their performance. This includes consideration of their compliance with statutory requirements and guidance. 

I support Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen’s intention to work more closely together, including sharing a chief executive. The Welsh Government welcomes councils working in collaboration to improve the delivery of services and provide value for money.