Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:58 pm on 8 February 2017.
Good. [Laughter.] Minister, your point about removing barriers between school and college actually is very well made, and I would agree with you on that. You have been saying, actually, pretty much until the end there, all the right things, but we do need to see them happen now. Really, I’m just begging you: stop moaning and plan. Plan to spend that £400 million. Parity of esteem is not just about FE and HE, vocational or academic; it’s about parity of citizenry.
I don’t think anyone should abandon their potential on the doorstep of their start in life, and the diversity of offer and the convenience of FE institutions for many will be what they need to cross the threshold at any age, at any time. So, I think that what we’ve actually been speaking about is parity of value to our people, and, yes, that does need a radical approach.