Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 1:48 pm on 13 February 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 1:48, 13 February 2019

I first of all thank the Member for acknowledging that there are no cuts to higher education from Welsh Government. I think that's very helpful to clarify, and I think, in reflecting on that very fact, I should also say that we have been relentless in fighting for the higher education sector, just as we have been relentless in supporting the further education sector as well. But we are still fighting against nine years of biting austerity.

Now, in terms of the regional skills partnerships, I'm pleased to be able to say to the Member that I have asked for an independent external review to be carried out into the RSPs. Meanwhile, we are supporting our RSPs with £5 million specifically of apprenticeship funding to align apprenticeship provision with what businesses in the respective regions require.