Diolch, Llywydd. I move amendment 16 and also want to speak to amendments 22, 23 and 24, all of which have been tabled in my name.

The substantive amendment in this group is amendment 16, and it seeks to provide for an Order-making power to enable Welsh Ministers to extend the scope of the new additional learning needs system to providers of work-based learning being funded by the Welsh taxpayer in the future. The Bill as it is currently drafted only requires those bodies with duties on the face of the Bill, i.e. schools, colleges and local authorities, to make additional learning needs provision in work-based learning environments. But Members will be aware that there are many other providers, both in the private and third sectors, also delivering work-based training.

During Stage 1 of the Bill's scrutiny, the committee heard evidence from the National Training Federation for Wales, which represents more than 100 training providers across the country, and that federation made it clear that they wanted to see the scope of the Bill extended for apprenticeship and other work-based learning environments to ensure that all young people could access the support that they need to develop their skills and employment opportunities. They saw this as a key component of delivering against the Welsh Government's stated aim, which is shared across this Chamber, of course, of creating parity of esteem between vocational and academic learning. They also highlighted that learners with more complex needs, including learning difficulties, are more likely to undertake work-based learning than other young people and that, as a result of that, many training providers are already very experienced in providing additional learning needs support for individuals.

But, to date, in spite of the support for extending the new system to all work-based learning providers, the Welsh Government has resisted calls to do so. The previous portfolio holder suggested that he had some concerns over the implications of extending the provisions to the private sector. But my own view, and that of the committee at Stage 1, was that any work-based learning provider that's in receipt of public funds ought to be required to deliver additional learning need support to ensure that there's a level playing field for all learners.

Now, I recognise that there might be some work to do to ensure that such an extension of the scope of the Bill is proportionate, especially given that many work-based learning providers are sometimes very small organisations. That's why my amendment seeks an Order-making power that can be exercised at a future date to allow for proper consideration of the implications of the extension.

Amendments 22, 23 and 24 are all consequential to amendment 16 and make references to those Order-making powers elsewhere on the face of the Bill. So, I urge all Members to support the amendments.