Alongside the changes to full-time provision, I'm also proposing to change the way part-time provision is funded, planned and delivered. The introduction of funding frameworks in 2014-15 I'm afraid coincided with a 37 per cent decrease in the funding available for part-time learning, with a further 50 per cent the following year. So, since 2015-16, the volume of part-time provision has varied depending on the numbers of full-time learners, and the offer is inconsistent across Wales.

Part-time funding is prioritised for basic skills, including digital and English for speakers of other languages provision, as well as giving all learners the opportunity to attain GCSE English, Welsh and mathematics. Delivering to those with the lowest level of skill has long been a core part of each college’s mission. In future, part-time provision will be prioritised to the proportion of the population who only hold a level 2 qualification. That'll ensure that all learners with a qualification level below level 3 will have equal access to the amount of part-time funding that is available wherever they live in the country.

As with full time, I expect colleges’ part-time provision to be influenced by the regional skills partnership recommendations. This review has also refined the sparsity uplift to reflect the increased costs of delivering in rural areas, although additional work will be undertaken in 2019 to refine the sparsity uplift to ensure we identify and fund the optimum curriculum entitlement in rural areas

I'm also changing the way we fund the post-16 Welsh baccalaureate. Currently, A-level and equivalent programmes are funded at the same value whether the Welsh bac is being delivered or not. This is because, where the Welsh bac is not being delivered, providers are expected to deliver, as a minimum, three Essential Skills Wales qualifications. However, data has shown us that this is not necessarily happening as expected, with learners missing out on important skills development. Therefore, from 2019, the Welsh bac will be funded as a separate qualification and funded as equivalent to an A-level. I'll also be looking at how we can implement this change within vocational programmes from 2020.

Other elements of the FE funding methodology will continue to be considered during the next academic year for implementation in 2020-21. For example, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol was tasked with developing an action plan for Welsh-medium education in FE in partnership with Welsh Government officials. I have this week received the final action plan and I'm considering the advice, which will be the basis for future support for the sector. So, to align this with these new developments, a review of the Welsh-medium uplift will take place next year, bringing a more cohesive direction to Welsh-medium and bilingual education and training. Research will also be carried out on the deprivation uplift, and we'll review the additional funding for learning support for those with additional learning needs, with a revised allocation to this budget being announced.

In line with the announcement of these changes to the FE methodology, I intend to write to each of the FEIs to set out my expectations for engaging with this new methodology and to broaden its inclusivity, in particular in relation to people with disabilities and their access to FE provision and apprenticeships. I'd like to recognise the commitment that the FE sector has given to this review, and I believe that the new arrangements will better suit both learners and employers.

Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to confirm that the Welsh Government will be providing funding to enable further education lecturers to be awarded a pay deal in 2018-19 and 2019-20 that is commensurate with that received by school teachers. I'm pleased to say that funding will also be provided to extend the pay deal to other FE staff, which highlights the recognition that FE makes an important contribution to the economy of Wales.

I'm so sorry to have taken so much of your time, but I think it was important to set out exactly what the changes will be in future. Diolch.