4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on post-16 education provision in Torfaen? OAQ(5)0073(EDU)

Local authorities are responsible for sixth-form education. When proposing change they must comply with the school organisation code. An outline business case for a new post-16 centre in Torfaen has been approved. We await a full business case, and I should say that capital funding applications are treated without prejudice to statutory proposals.

Thank you, Minister. You’ll be aware of unique challenges faced by young people in north Torfaen, who’ve had no access to post-16 education locally since 2008, with some young people having to try to access sixth forms at other schools or many having to take a long bus journey to Crosskeys college, which is two bus rides there and two bus rides back every day. As you’ve highlighted, Torfaen council are developing plans for a post-16 centre to serve all young people in the borough, and I’m very grateful for the support of your predecessor, Julie James, in helping to progress this vital project. Can I ask, Minister, if you’ll take this opportunity to restate the Welsh Government’s commitment to addressing this injustice in Torfaen as a matter of urgency, and what assurances can you give that you will ensure that all Welsh Government decisions on the final business case are taken as quickly as possible?

I’m grateful to my good friend and neighbour for tempting me into an appalling indiscretion again. She will be very aware that I cannot comment on any proposals for change that might be under consideration by local authorities; these proposals will, of course, be or may be referred to Welsh Ministers for some decisions, and we recognise that. I’m aware that Torfaen is considering this matter, and I think the executive will be considering it, in fact, in the next week or so. Let me say this: I’ve seen the benefits of the post-16 changes that we’ve seen in my own constituency in Blaenau Gwent and I would want to see those benefits extended to students elsewhere in the country as well. I think we need to ensure that we have consistency of opportunity, consistency of service and consistency of provision. Consistency doesn’t always imply uniformity, of course, and there will be different options for different parts of the country and for different areas. But, let me say this: we are aware of the decisions that are being taken by Torfaen and we’re aware of the debate and discussion that’s been taking place with Torfaen. We’ve got a good relationship with the local authority, which has got an excellent new leader now in Torfaen, and I can look forward to continuing to work with the local authority in Torfaen for a conclusion to these discussions.

The new sixth-form centre in Cwmbran will replace all English-medium school sixth forms in Torfaen by September 2019. What discussion has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Torfaen council about helping young people with transport costs to access the new centre in view of the Welsh Government decision to scrap discount bus travel schemes in Torfaen and also in Wales? Thank you.

I must say I am somewhat surprised by the question. Members should be aware that the Welsh Government are constantly in conversation with local authorities about these matters. We have been in conversation with Torfaen about these matters for some time now, and that’s a matter of public record. We will continue to have our discussions and conversations with the excellent local authority in Torfaen, and we will continue that until we reach a happy conclusion.