Vikki Howells: ...in the UK; action to support students; retention of the EMA; improvements in examination results. Most visibly, Carwyn, as other speakers have commented, your commitment to the twenty-first century schools programme has ensured our children and young people are educated in modern facilities fit for purpose. Altogether, nearly £4 billion has been earmarked to this, and over 150 schools and...
Vikki Howells: Welsh further education colleges are critical players in the economy of Wales. As ColegauCymru have reminded us, their annual economic impact on the local business community is no less than £4 billion. And in addition to this contribution, they undoubtedly have a crucial strategic role to play in futureproofing the economy in Wales. In 'Prosperity for All', the Welsh Government sets out how...
Vikki Howells: What consideration did the Cabinet Secretary give to funding for further education when deciding on the draft budget for 2019/20?
Vikki Howells: ...to us. We also need to understand how we can engage with those hardest-to-reach groups, who are perhaps most in need of upskilling, and I think there's a key role to play here for adult community education, particularly in that sector's ability to engage and develop community links. As this recommendation is key, I'm encouraged that not only have Ministers accepted it, but they have...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, back in February I raised, under the business statement, the pioneering work of North Lanarkshire Council in Scotland, which looks to provide free school meals for those eligible 365 days a year. Now, there are proven benefits there to pupils not just in terms of health and well-being, but also in academic attainment too. The leader of the house said the Welsh Government would...
Vikki Howells: .... This gave him the chance to put into practice many of the reforms he had long championed. He was later created Viscount Hall and appointed political head of the navy. Hall came to give others the educational opportunities he had missed out on, was a school and university governor, and established a fund so that young people could travel. When he became a peer, constituents raised £2,000...
Vikki Howells: Outdoor education can play an important role in encouraging our young people to get active and also give them the skills and confidence to do so. I know that you spoke just now about some of the cross-Government work that you are doing, but particularly with your colleague Kirsty, what are you doing there in order to try and promote the benefits of outdoor education?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I note the comments in your recent statement about encouraging the parents and carers of eligible children to apply for pupil deprivation grant access funding for school uniform in particular. But I'm concerned that lots of those eligible for this are missing out. From my own personal experience locally, the way in which this information is communicated to...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on Welsh Government plans to publish new statutory guidance for school uniforms? OAQ52592
Vikki Howells: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the provision of after-school clubs? Transferred for written answer by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services.
Vikki Howells: What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the role of co-operative principles within the Welsh education system?
Vikki Howells: ...lost one of its most prolific playwrights, we've also lost one of the most perceptive observers of the characters, humour and wit of the south Wales Valleys. The son of a Rhondda miner, Frank left school at 15. He worked in various jobs, whilst acting and writing in his spare time. His first play, written at the age of just 21, was After I’m Gone, and won the Howard De Walden trophy in...
Vikki Howells: ...settings, giving children and young people the chance to get away, have a break, have some fun and just be children. They also provide emotional and practical support. That could be in terms of schooling but also practical things. Some stories of the tremendous young people they help are overwhelming, like the young child who helped her mother make up bottles, change nappies and wash...
Vikki Howells: ...can be a daunting and isolating experience. I want to turn now to address the specific challenges faced by young carers. This is an area where I do have some professional experience. As a secondary school teacher, I was involved in providing pastoral care and support to young carers, and I know all too well the impact that their responsibilities can have upon their academic studies, their...
Vikki Howells: ...equity of outcome in the plan's vision for the future. Part of this involves making sure our future generations are healthy and active. How do you see cross-Government work like active transport, education and access to the outdoors fitting in to achieving the plan's goals?
Vikki Howells: ...provision so that economic barriers are not the sole factor dissuading potential applicants. Moreover, there is the need, as others have said, to promote parity of esteem between study in higher education and apprenticeships. Countries like Germany do this so well and if we could have that shift in this country, it would be a wonderful thing. I know that the Welsh Government has accepted...
Vikki Howells: It's a pleasure to rise today to speak in support of the motion. This is really important, touching on how we ensure the dignity of girls and young women in Welsh schools. Plan International UK’s data shows how far too many young women struggle to meet the cost of sanitary wear. The charity has also shown the terrible impact of this too. Nearly half of girls surveyed missed an entire day...
Vikki Howells: ...I would argue, requires a cross-Government approach, for example in terms of improving public transport so that my constituents don’t need to use the A470 to get to Cardiff, or air quality around schools, for example. So, what work are you doing with colleagues to ensure that this cross-Government approach is taken?
Vikki Howells: ...Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I have a few questions on your statement. Firstly, I note your comments about how the PDG is being used to better involve families in their children's education, and you will know that I'm hosting an event for Parentkind at the Senedd tomorrow at which you'll be speaking. This aims to celebrate the work of the charity in getting parents to take...
Vikki Howells: ...kept in its present condition stops it being redeveloped. That means that 500 new homes cannot be built. This means that plans to develop land for economic purposes and to provide a new primary school cannot be pursued. This means the vision of new recreational facilities, including reclaimed lakes, cannot be realised. But the poor condition of the site is also having very real impacts on...
