What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Education and Welsh Language on the impact that ending the SchoolBeat.Cymru scheme will have on improving pupil behaviour?
As part of the 2024/25 budget process I, along with other Ministers, had to take very difficult decisions about the Welsh Government’s commitments and priorities, with a focus on protecting front-line services and saving lives. That has informed the challenging decision to withdraw Welsh Government funding for the Wales Police Schools Programme in 2024-25 as the funding for the programme comes from my substance misuse budget.
The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language was aware of this decision I had to make within my portfolio area. The impact of this decision on the current programme, and areas such as pupil behaviour and preventing crime, is difficult to predict. This is because the programme is mainly measured in terms of outputs of lessons as opposed to outcomes.