Bethan Sayed: We’ve heard from the Graeme Reid report that there is, perhaps, an over-reliance on European funding sources. Clearly that’s been natural because that funding’s been available, but there are sources for innovation that are available from elsewhere within the UK that universities and FE colleges could bid for so that they could do more as institutions and then do that on a commercial...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you. I brought this debate today, co-signed by some of my colleagues here—and thank you for doing that—because further education in Wales has been under pressure and has not been given the level of recognition and central position of importance that it deserves. We believe that further and lifelong education is the key to unlock the potential in the Welsh economy. For too long,...
Bethan Sayed: Despite these financial constraints, the rising demand for further education and lifelong learning opportunities has been noticeable, as it should be. It's part of the Welsh Government's strategy to upskill our economy, and to do so, they indicate to us, to equip our citizens with the skills they'll need to be successful in a modern economy. Yet, the truth is the funding and vision have not...
Bethan Sayed: It's notable that every area of Wales is below the UK average in terms of productivity, but the UK average in itself is below many other advanced economies'. But how will the demand placed upon the sector as a result of the employability plan be met when the resources are simply not there? I note today that £8 million has been committed by the Welsh Government to ensure some pay parity...
Bethan Sayed: Diolch. Thank you, everybody who has taken part. From what I can gather, we've got a consensus in the fact that we all support further education and we all want to see it prioritised. I guess where we differ is in our politics and in our analysis as to the prioritisation that it has for the Welsh Government. I did recognise the investment that has been put into the staffing issues, but, of...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you to Dai Lloyd, who stated very clearly how important this sector is to us, and he visited Gower college in my region, as well as Caroline Jones's region, who has also mentioned the excellent work being done with people with autism in this area. What's important is that we allow these colleges to innovate and to assist different sectors of society to evolve and develop.
Bethan Sayed: Oscar, you mentioned diversity and I think that's really important. We have to ensure that we encourage people from all walks of life to be able to upskill and to take part in our further education structures. We were at the Treforest campus last week, where we met with young entrepreneurs from different walks of life, and, sometimes, if you grow up in some communities of Wales, you might...
Bethan Sayed: I heard what you said to Andrew R.T. Davies earlier, but, of course, last week, we did have the inquest into the death of Carl Sergeant and it was well publicised for good reason. We heard details—some of them hard to hear—regarding the events leading up to Carl's tragic and too early death. Given the strong public interest in this case and the clear question marks that have been raised...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you. I also speak today as a committee Chair, Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee.
Bethan Sayed: The resource budgets in these areas amount to £120 million, while the capital budgets total around £19.5 million. Broadly, resource budgets have remained flat, while there has been some increase in capital provision, although overall amounts are relatively small. Clearly, these sums are not as great as those covered by some Assembly committees. Nevertheless, these are significant amounts of...
Bethan Sayed: In terms of the Welsh language, the committee noted that overall funding for the Welsh language within the education MEG has remained flat, with £38.3 million allocated within the draft budget. The committee understands the current constraints on funding, however, we are concerned that a cash-flat budget will not allow sufficient progress toward the Welsh Government’s target of 1 million...
Bethan Sayed: Research from the National Society of Apprentices shows that apprentices spend 20 per cent of their salary on transport, which is significant, given that some apprentices are only on £3.70 an hour. I was wondering what plans—or if you had any plans, potentially, to encourage free transportation for apprentices so that they can reach their place of work in a timely fashion and in an...
Bethan Sayed: This week is Lifelong Learning Platform's Lifelong Learning Week. This is the pan-European civil society for education, which is using this week to bring together partners from across Europe to encourage and talk about ideas to foster lifelong learning. With our future in the European Union currently uncertain, I hope that Wales can continue to play a role in European engagement platforms...
Bethan Sayed: We've had quite a few questions on superfast already today, but obviously we know that we had a statement from Superfast Cymru outlining a range of successes in the superfast programme, and I think it's worth noting there has been a big increase in the number of properties with access to superfast broadband of up to 34 Mbps, so you have made progress in the area. Technology, as ever, moves...
Bethan Sayed: Okay, thank you. I'll make sure to get a copy of that. Just moving on, I think we have to look at technology across the piece, as broadband as a stand-alone option is often not enough for many people, even with increases in capacity. Can you tell us how you're planning to improve 4G connectivity? Last year, a report by Which? showed that Wales had the worst 4G coverage in the UK, with 4G...
Bethan Sayed: Well, that's always a problem when there are monopolies in the system, and we need to try and get to grips with that and ensure that the UK Government hear us loud and clear here in Wales. I would just like to finish by raising the issue of net neutrality. It's been around a year since net neutrality rules were repealed in the United States, potentially allowing providers to give preferential...
Bethan Sayed: Adam Price.
Bethan Sayed: Thank you to Andrew R.T. Davies for bringing this important debate and for the significance of Lucy's law, which is one of the main reasons why I was calling for an animal abuse register for Wales, because we know that we want to try and ensure that animals are protected, and I think this would have been a clear way forward, but the Cabinet Secretary was minded not to carry forth that idea....
Bethan Sayed: Well, just to move from Ebbw Vale for a minute—[Laughter.]—I wanted to take you further down to Port Talbot in South Wales West. I know that economic priorities and opportunities can sometimes change unexpectedly overnight, and in Port Talbot you will know that we've been blessed—or not so for the owner, Ian—with a new Banksy art piece, the first of its kind here in Wales. I'm in...
Bethan Sayed: I met today with representatives of the Kurdish community in south Wales. And I welcome the fact that we now have a dedicated Minister for international affairs here in the National Assembly. So, I would like to ask for a debate, to ask for her to outline what her priorities are in relation to international affairs, and also to request that we have the plight of the Kurdish people as part of...
