6. Statement by the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning: The Review of Further Education Funding

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:40 pm on 20 November 2018.

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Photo of Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Baroness Mair Eluned Morgan Labour 4:40, 20 November 2018

Yes, just first of all on lifelong learning—I think it is critical. I think the role of FE in lifelong learning is terribly important. One of the key issues we have in our society today in terms of problems is in-work poverty, so the question is: how do we get people out of that situation? The answer, I think, is to upskill them while they are still at work. To do that, we need to provide a more flexible system. So, I'm trying to encourage the FE sector to try and get into that position so that they can be responsive and not just leave it to the private sector, as I said earlier. 

I am very hopeful that the money that we've managed to put on the table today will avoid strike action, but then that is a matter—the relationship between the college lecturers is one between the unions, the college lecturers and ColegauCymru. So, that's the relationship. What we can do—. We're kind of slightly outside the system, but we've been very pleased to be able to support them in this instance.

In terms of planning ahead, I understand what you're saying: the Hazelkorn review is coming. The problem is, it's still quite a way out, and what I don't want to do is to wait before we incentivise, before we start moving these colleges. If we wait for the Hazelkorn review, we could be waiting a significant number of years, and I don't want to be in that position. So, some of this is about getting us to the situation where we're on a par with sixth forms. We're looking at the methodology, for example, in relation to how they're paid, related to demographic changes—that's something. That's what's done in sixth forms. So, we're gradually getting into the same kind of position. And, of course, we needed to respond, I think, to the National Audit Office report. So, that was another incentive for us to get moving on this particular issue. 

On the RSPs, we have of course had the review by Dr John Graystone. That was specifically targeted at governance. It was specifically looking at governance. The RSPs have responded, are responding, to that. The terms of reference are now clear for the public. There was an issue about public accountability. Minutes of the meetings are now being put on websites and things. So, the transparency of the process is much better. I hope that in appointing somebody to overlook the RSPs, we will get a better degree of consistency between the RSPs. I think they're doing a good job, and I'd like to encourage them to keep going, but I'd like to have somebody who has an understanding of both the RSP, the employment situation, and the further education sector, to really make sure that we are in the right place on this. It's critical, I think, that we get this right. 

And then, on your last point, which was about—I can't remember what it was about.