Suzy Davies: Will you take an intervention?
Suzy Davies: The reason that 2007 was chosen was that it was at a time when the English and Welsh results were comparable. I went on to say in some of my contribution that, while both nations have actually improved in that time, until this year, England has done better than Wales. But this year, Wales has gone back to that starting point.
Suzy Davies: The assessment of pupil performance in years 4 to 9 may well be about identifying how to help each pupil improve, and I do understand that, but those scores also act as a warning. Today's year 9 pupils are not in as strong a position as this year's year 11 pupils were in two years ago—not in English, not in Welsh, not in maths, and not even in science. And let's remember that this year's...
Suzy Davies: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and, of course, I move the motion. First of all—and I know you will all join me in this—can I offer my congratulations to all the students, teachers and staff for the commitment and work that they've put into this year's exams? This debate is no criticism of them. It is about holding Welsh Government to account on how they're making—sorry, and how they're making...
Suzy Davies: May I also thank the committee for their work? The publication of the 2050 strategy was ambitious and its success will depend on a number of things, including promotion, so I was pleased to see this report. I wasn't here when the Welsh language Measure was passed. It’s been in statute for a long period of time, now, and therefore it’s entirely appropriate that we review it and consider...
Suzy Davies: Minister, you may also recall previous correspondence between us regarding delayed prioritisation of a passing loop for the Maesteg-Bridgend line. The last time that I looked at this, you explained that it was going to be deferred to the 2018-19 budget from the previous year's budget. This has been put back for several years already, so perhaps you can explain the delay. But you may also...
Suzy Davies: I'm very pleased to hear those last comments there, Trefnydd. That was part of the question I was going to ask you, but you'll be glad to know it wasn't the entire question. I think the important point to make here is that this no-brainer of an idea still remains an amazing idea for the region, for Wales as a whole and, indeed, for the UK supply chain. The Welsh Conservative group here is...
Suzy Davies: The next item, item 5, is the debate on the Equality, Local Government and communities Committee report on voting rights for prisoners. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—John Griffiths.
Suzy Davies: Thank you, Minister.
Suzy Davies: The next item is the 90-second statement. Angela Burns.
Suzy Davies: I'm grateful for that response, Minister, because, as we know, the concern that actually the CYPE committee had was, while we recognised that the local authorities are responsible for the majority of direct funding, that is not protected in any way. It'll be very interesting, when you produce the results of your review, and in fact respond to the debate, whether you're going to be in a...
Suzy Davies: Bearing in mind the huge changes that will be happening in schools, not least with the change in curriculum and the preparation for that, but also the long-standing and very acute complaints made by schools now about their direct funding, I have to say I was disappointed not to see that more explicitly in even the cross-cutting themes of Government, because, of course, if you get education...
Suzy Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, last week, the finance Minister made a statement setting out her thoughts on the implications for Wales of the UK Government's 2019 spending round, and in that she reinforced the Government's view that budget spending decisions should be predicated on eight areas of priority. Why isn't school-age education one of those priority areas?
Suzy Davies: Minister, I was, I must admit, a little surprised to see in Stats Wales that, as well as those who are qualified to teach Welsh as a first language, 40 per cent of our teaching workforce is qualified to teach Welsh in English-medium schools as a second language. Whether they're using those skills, of course, is a little let easy to ascertain. The number of new entrants choosing to train in...
Suzy Davies: Thank you, Deputy Minister.
Suzy Davies: The next item is item 6, a statement by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services—delivery of the childcare offer for Wales. And I call on the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan.
Suzy Davies: And, finally, Vikki Howells.
Suzy Davies: Diolch. Andrew R.T. Davies.
Suzy Davies: While I'm very pleased with that last response it was a question about both deals actually, because things look very quiet for the Bridgend area in my region from the Cardiff end of things. The announcement for Yr Egin and the Swansea waterfront digital district, of course, was very, very welcome. I understand from the board that the money will be released. That time is very close. But I...
Suzy Davies: I'd like to acknowledge the work of both our Governments in bringing Ineos to just outside my region, but for the benefit of the whole of the region and beyond. The economic development that Huw Irranca-Davies referred to, of course, needs a well-prepared workforce who've had the best out of their school and college experience. I wonder if one of the greatest risks to that sustained economic...
