Diolch, Lywydd. It is a great honour for me, representing the people of Islwyn, to rise to give the first short debate of this fifth Assembly by an Assembly Member elected in May 2016. As a former teacher, lecturer and former cabinet member for education in local government it comes as no surprise that I have decided to focus this debate on the greatest issue that this home of Welsh democracy is responsible for—education.

Llywydd, I am grateful to the following Welsh Labour Assembly Members who have asked me to speak in this debate. Following my speech I will cede a minute of my allotted fifteen minutes to the following: Mike Hedges AM, Hannah Blythyn AM, Hefin David AM, David Rees AM and Huw Irranca-Davies AM.