8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the difference the pupil deprivation grant is making to educational outcomes in Islwyn? OAQ(5)0214(FM)

We see that the impact of the grant is strong. It’s making a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged learners, and we are starting to break the very stubborn link between poverty and educational achievement.

Thank you, First Minister. Statistics recently released show a further increase in the proportion of learners eligible for free school meals achieving five good GCSEs, including mathematics and English or Welsh first language. This represents the best performance yet by our disadvantaged learners and, for the second year, the attainment gap between children and young people receiving free school meals and their peers has closed. First Minister, this is further evidence of how successfully the Welsh Government is tackling poverty in Wales. Can you then tell me how the Welsh Government continues to build on this success?

Well, I know that the Cabinet Secretary has a very strong personal commitment to the pupil deprivation grant. She's already announced a doubling of support from £300 to £600 for the early years pupil development grant to eligible three and four-year-olds in the foundation phase, and it's a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty.