Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 1:53 pm on 13 December 2017.
Cabinet Secretary, thank you. I welcome the passing of Stage 4 of the additional learning needs Bill yesterday, and noted with interest the statement you issued earlier this week on implementing the new code. However, I would like clarity on the advice that you are providing to local education authorities as to the interim measures that are in place now that the Bill has been passed. I've raised this issue before with previous education Secretaries, because it seems that there is a reluctance by authorities to give out statements because the new system is coming. With the implementation phase not due to be completed until 2023, what assurances can you provide that full support will continue over the intervening years and that local authorities will not row back on providing support for those very vulnerable children?