Bethan Sayed: ...but feel that there is no welcome for them in that regard. Then, we had David Rees mentioning a good point about the FE offering, as well. We can't have this debate without mentioning that further education does offer a lot in relation to higher education. I would say that I mentioned students in my speech, so I think that's integral to what we do in relation to higher education—how they...
Bethan Sayed: To Rhun, thank you for explaining the economic impact of higher education. You said that alarm bells should be ringing about what’s happening across the whole of Wales, and how important HE is in terms of local economies. I've spoken to people in the sector who are saying, 'If this university were to disappear, then the whole town would die.' So, we have to be alive to that when we're...
Bethan Sayed: ...thank you to everybody who has taken part in this debate. I welcome the announcement that's been made with regard to the Master's degree. Although, I must say, every time I raise issues with higher education, I feel that the Minister is always very defensive, and we raise these issues because, like I said in the beginning, we have heard concerns. And this is not to try and bash the...
Bethan Sayed: ...Davies for her intervention in relation to being constructive, and recognising the point in relation to how important research is and the fact that there is a level of complacency in the higher education sector. We need to be accountable. I know we differ, to an extent, there. Where we would differ again, I guess, is where we've seen the Conservatives support more marketisation in the...
Bethan Sayed: ...too in the knowledge that financial certainty can change overnight. Financial stability at universities depends on this, particularly in relation to borrowing. Now, I understand that the Higher Education Council for Wales plays a regulatory role in this and that, ultimately, lenders would not lend at all under circumstances of a fundamental lack of confidence in certain universities. But...
Bethan Sayed: ...Let me start from the outset by saying that we don't want to be holding this debate today. It's not our preference, nor do we take pleasure in coming here to discuss the problems across the higher education sector in Wales, but we feel that this is a debate that needs to be had now, because we support the sector, because it's so integral to our society and the economy. We're not going to...
Bethan Sayed: ...and management issues at the university. I think that it's our role to scrutinise that particular aspect, and I think it's entirely appropriate for that to happen. Because, as much as any education Minister across the world may say that universities are autonomous bodies, they're also in receipt of public funds, and therefore cannot be above scrutiny or oversight, and, in my view, have a...
Bethan Sayed: ...that reality for themselves, and to get a job in something that would suit them. But they're not being told how they can transfer those skills. I'm wondering what work you can do through the adult education sector to help those veterans to realise their potential so that they're not in those vulnerable positions. My final question was—you will be aware of the Augar review and the fact...
Bethan Sayed: .... Certainly, this week, we have heard that 180 posts are at risk at Allied Bakeries. We've certainly heard that posts are at risk in Ford in Bridgend. That, then, is going to have an impact on the education system, because a number of those people who are working in these sectors are going to need to develop new skills and to find new jobs. Last year, we heard the Future Advocacy think...
Bethan Sayed: I wanted to ask for a statement on the Augar report that was published in England on how they’re to pay fees and how they’re going to pay for the post-16 education system there. They certainly have recommended a reduction in the fees for students, and I want to understand from the Welsh Government how that will impact you. So, could we have a statement to that end? We know that the Welsh...
Bethan Sayed: ...the deliberations around Brexit. On the third and final question, I just wanted to ask in relation to continuing the theme on the curriculum reform, but specifically in relation to further education. I've heard that many—. There has been welcoming of the actual change in process, but I've heard from some in the sector that they are worried about the progression to work-based learning...
Bethan Sayed: .... And if I could ask for when you think, in your deliberations with the UK Government, you will be able to get that confirmation—from a previous response that you've given, I think it was to the education committee, you said it was because of Treasury rules. So, I'm understanding that that isn't now so much of a challenge for you. And, if that isn't so much of a challenge, could you...
Bethan Sayed: ...not far up in the statement, which is support to cover free sanitary products at FE colleges, which is something we've discussed already, but I'm sure wasn't announced when you announced it for the schools, and I wholeheartedly welcome this new announcement. If there's anything new there apart from this, then I apologise if I've missed it, but I think that's what I saw as the new focus...
Bethan Sayed: Well, I'm not sure if we can say that we welcome another debate on Brexit, but I think it's important that we discuss it in relation to education. But, here we are again, talking about this important issue. I'm not going to go into much detail on the finer points of this committee report. I'm sure that many of us will have read the report and we've listened to Lynne Neagle's introduction as...
Bethan Sayed: ...of their own country. So, that's totally preposterous. But thank you for bringing those new insights into the committee's remit and that's something, in relation to modern languages, perhaps the education committee—not that I want to give work to Lynne Neagle as the Chair—but, in relation to modern languages, it's certainly something that is reaching crisis point and needs addressing.
Bethan Sayed: ...providers, which, to a certain extent, have created a false market, because they’re sustained by Welsh Government funding. Do you think it would be better to tackle apprenticeships by having an education system for individuals and funding apprenticeships in a way that reflects that? Have you considered alternative models that would see new partnerships with local authorities and FE...
Bethan Sayed: ...meetings that all of my colleagues have been arranging across Wales. So, instead of putting your head in the sand, what are you going to be doing about that so that we can ensure that the higher education sector can be successful? I did want to ask a question also on regional skills partnerships here today. The former Deputy Minister for skills outlined plans for further education as...
Bethan Sayed: ...will be able to go to and the skills that we will have in our communities. So, I'll ask you again: what economic analysis will you have on a Wales basis as to the impact of the cuts to our higher education sector? Notwithstanding the fact that they may not have other jobs to go to because of—[Interruption.]—I'm hearing from the sidelines the education Minister saying, 'What cuts?'...
Bethan Sayed: Thanks. I wanted to ask the first question as to whether you've made an economic analysis of the potential cuts to higher education. I appreciate that this is primarily in relation to the education portfolio, but if we look at this in a holistic way, any job losses—be those in Bangor, be those in Carmarthen, or be those in Cardiff, with a £21 million deficit in its budget announced...
Bethan Sayed: .... A few weeks ago, I met with a number of headteachers in the Swansea area, and in their own words, they said that the situation was reaching crisis point in terms of what's happening in primary schools in that particular area. Morale is very low—those aren't my words, but theirs. What are you doing to work with schools, in the context of the current very difficult financial climate, to...
