Well, Llywydd, I don't agree with many of those points. The Member points to pay awards in the FE sector; the Welsh Government does not strike pay awards in the FE sector. The sector itself is responsible for its own pay bill. It cannot strike an award and then believe that the Welsh Government is somehow to be responsible for its own actions. There's got to be a sense of responsibility in the sector, not simply thinking that it can always point to somebody else when things are challenging, and things are challenging.

Uncertainty, I'm afraid, is part of the daily experience of all public services in the coronavirus context. It's not simply possible for the Government just to invent ways in which all uncertainty can be lifted off the shoulders of those services. We certainly work closely with the FE sector. I was able, myself, to meet with leaders of FE colleges, alongside the education Minister, some weeks ago. I was very impressed by their determination to do everything they can to support young people during these really challenging times. 

The Welsh Government will do everything we can to support that sector, because I do very firmly believe that parity of esteem between the education of those young people who choose to shape their futures through further education, alongside young people who make other choices, is absolutely important. It won't be achieved simply by thinking that the difficulties that are faced as a result of a pandemic crisis can be just wiped away by the Welsh Government. Working with the sector is the way that we will tackle it; we can't substitute ourselves for it.