I will be guided by Luke’s expertise in this issue, and I'm sure we'd all want the work to be a comprehensive piece of work, but I would be hopeful that that work would be completed before the summer recess of 2020, and therefore is an opportunity to influence the next set of budget discussions.

In turn, I'd like to focus on recommendation 4, asking us to consider how the allocation of resources for local authorities can be determined by a needs-based approach, and what this approach should consider in relation to the education element of a local authority’s funding. I welcome that the education part of the local government distribution sub-group is already considering the potential for developing an alternative approach to the education formula within the local government settlement model. The work on the education element of the formula is essentially a pilot that will need to be tested really thoroughly before this methodology is considered for further roll-out, and I will consider how this work aligns with the work being taken forward under recommendation 1. And I'm very grateful to the Minister for Local Government and Housing for agreeing to work in partnership with me on this particular recommendation. And of course, we'll be very happy to keep colleagues updates on that work.

I recognise that to continue raising standards, our schools need support through core funding. However, as we have discussed at length this afternoon, as the local government settlement is unhypothecated, it is for local authorities to determine their priorities. And I would say to both Suzy Davies and indeed to Alun Davies: you may have a view over the direct funding of schools, but I have to say there is a different view from Labour leaders of local authorities in Wales, and indeed those in the Conservative Party who have positions of responsibility for local authorities in Wales, who feel very, very differently. Perhaps you should have conversations with them.

And, Darren, as regard to this false premise of a north versus south divide, I recently took the time and trouble to go to the distribution sub-group. I specifically asked the leaders of the councils that were represented there that afternoon whether they would undertake a review of the data and the funding formula. And I have to say, both the leader of Wrexham, which I believe is in north Wales, and the leader of Gwynedd, which I also believe is in north Wales, absolutely refused to enter into a debate about changing the funding formula.

So, if I can get back to my script, and I'm conscious of the time, Presiding Officer, I would like to recognise that I continue, within the education department, to provide significant grants above and beyond the allocations in the RSG to fund local schools, local authorities and regional education consortia. As I'm sure Members will recognise, we have a hugely ambitious reform agenda set out in our national mission action plan, and despite continued strains on our budgets, I was pleased last year to be able to announce the single biggest investment in the professional learning of the teaching profession since devolution started. And in setting teachers' pay for the first time this year in Wales, we have diverged from the proposals in England by ensuring that the starting salary for teachers starting to work in Wales is higher than it is across the border. This will help to promote teaching as a profession of choice for graduates and career changers.

To conclude, to all Members who are making the case for school funding, I say, 'Of course, I support increasing education funding', and I think my record even before I came into the Government was proof of that. But I am yet to see a genuine, thought through, comprehensive spending calculation from anyone in the opposition that demonstrates where they will cut funding to put more money into my budget. There is no proof of any opposition party here that makes school funding a priority. But, as ever, I'm very happy to discuss proposals and suggestions as they come through. And I'd like to reiterate once again that I welcome the committee's report and that I hope that there is cross-Chamber support for the recommendations that that report contains.