Lesley Griffiths: ...Swansea. It's been a vital economic support for Morriston and the wider area through the economic footprint it's had there. In relation to your question around supply teachers, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language is sitting next to me, and is very happy to come forward with a statement.
Lesley Griffiths: ...are very supportive; they see the food sector as a priority sector. We have many funded projects: we've got Food Skills Cymru, personal learning accounts that have been funded through our further education colleges to upskill people in all areas of the industry, whether that be business management or leadership or trade negotiations, food technology, health and safety. There's a really...
Lesley Griffiths: ...share your concern, and the statistics you came forward with are certainly a matter for concern and very worrying. During the previous term of Government, I did meet with the former Minister for Education whilst she was looking at the new curriculum to see if it was possible to perhaps include something in the curriculum in the way you suggest. I also wanted to see if we could do more...
Lesley Griffiths: ...think you raise a very important point, because, clearly, we are seeing this escalation in the costs of fuel, which will have an impact on the services to which you refer. I know the Minister for education and the Minister for local government are aware of this. I think the Minister for Finance and Local Government will be having further discussions, and, if guidance is required, that can...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to the small and rural schools grant, the Member will be aware that £2.5 million has been put forward over the previous Senedd term to encourage innovation and increase school-to-school working. It was a very specific grant, and I know that local authorities were made aware from the outset that the grant was time limited, and they submitted their plans for expenditure...
Lesley Griffiths: ...we've invested £9 million specifically to promote those community institutions who support the growing, collection, distribution and sharing of food in Wales, from holiday enrichment programmes in schools to community-growing projects and community kitchens. My party's election manifesto last May pledged to develop a community food strategy, and our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I know the Minister for Education and Welsh Language is aware of the case that you refer to, and obviously consuming a more nutritious diet during the school day is absolutely necessary for a variety of reasons, which you've referred to. Welsh Government has the Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards and Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2013. They set out the types of...
Lesley Griffiths: ...the UK Government to ensure that we are able to receive people from horrific circumstances who are in absolute desperate need. I know officials are working very closely with ESOL providers and the education sector right across Wales to assess what existing capacity in schools there are in the system, and to take any necessary action to ensure that they can provide that immediate and longer...
Lesley Griffiths: ...more. You will have heard the Minister for Finance and Local Government mention the work that she's doing from a procurement point of view in relation to increasing supply of Welsh food into our school meals, for instance, through the Welsh public sector food frameworks that Caerphilly council have led on, and last summer I attended a meeting to see what more we could do to get Welsh food...
Lesley Griffiths: I've had discussions with Cabinet colleagues and continue to work with local authorities and health boards to ensure food and drink sourced from local suppliers is available in schools, hospitals and care homes.
Lesley Griffiths: You may have heard the Minister for Finance and Local Government, in her answer to a question around food procurement, which is obviously part of the free school meals and the work that's ongoing around these issues—. The work is being led by Caerphilly County Borough Council, and they're looking at how we can increase supply of Welsh food in school meals. And I mentioned the support that...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I know the Member does take a very close interest in this topic, and the Minister for education and his officials will look very closely at the report. It's important that a child receives the correct and appropriate education, and it's very important that, as Ministers, we listen to such experts. And the Minister and his officials will obviously consider the next steps from the...
Lesley Griffiths: ...look at procurement, you'll be aware that Rebecca Evans, the Minister for Finance and Local Government, is looking at what more we can do to procurement. I think you're right about making sure that schools—. I was quite a latecomer to eating fish. I think, as a child, I certainly wasn't that keen, and maybe it's because it wasn't given to me in my school meals or as much at home—we...
Lesley Griffiths: ...819 tonnes of surplus food from waste. That's enough to provide almost 3 million meals just in one year. So, we can see the huge work that's done. Those meals were diverted to homeless shelters, school breakfast clubs and community centres, so it is very important. I'd be very happy to work to promote that over the next few weeks, and I will certainly have a discussion with the Minister...
Lesley Griffiths: ...in the repayments regulations, and UK Government do not need the agreement of Welsh Ministers to amend the repayment threshold, but they cannot impose that change on Wales. So, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language will be looking at options in the coming weeks, and if there obviously is anything that he wishes to update Members on, I'm sure he will provide either a letter or a...
Lesley Griffiths: ...has continued. The Minister has made funding available, and, obviously, as you say, we're entering the last period now ahead of the introduction of the new curriculum. And if the Minister for education does have any new information, I will ask him to bring forward a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: ...Wales. On your point around the co-operation agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru in relation to supply teachers, as the Member is aware, local authorities are responsible for employing school staff, and that includes supply teachers. Clearly, we have many different systems across Wales—different supply systems and models are all in place. So, to progress this commitment, we're...
Lesley Griffiths: ...been done in partnership, and we've listened to the concerns of local authorities and third sector organisations. I'd certainly be very happy to look at what we can do to promote awareness and also education, because I think that's really important; if we are going to have a campaign, I think, obviously, focus on awareness, but I think that there needs to be an equal focus on educating...
Lesley Griffiths: ..., we have across the UK. We've now got 52 cases, and you can imagine the veterinary capacity that the AI outbreaks are taking also. I was very pleased to see Aberystwyth University—the veterinary school there—opened last week. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the opening, but I did visit there—I think it was in October—to have a look at it myself, and was very impressed. And...
Lesley Griffiths: ...The Welsh Government has put a significant amount of work and resources into promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects across all ages. As you are aware, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language makes many statements in the Chamber, and certainly on the curriculum itself, and I'm sure he will be able to update Members if any further information is required.
