2. What consideration has the Minister given to providing additional funding to the education portfolio? OQ56276

We're providing an extra £102 million to the education portfolio next year in recognition of the impact of the pandemic on children and young people. This is in addition to the uplift of £176 million for local government, which will support front-line services, including schools.

What discussions have you had with the education Minister about making additional funding available for catch-up measures such as the summer schools, as suggested by the Minister?

I have regular discussions with all colleagues and particular discussions with the education Minister in terms of how we can support those children and young people who have been badly affected by the pandemic. In response to the issues that we're facing as a result of the pandemic, we have launched the recruit, recover and raise standards plan, which is accelerating learning for individuals and groups with funding for schools to recruit new staff to address the lost learning. That's additional investment of £29 million for the academic year 2020-21 and is providing the equivalent of 600 extra teachers and 300 teaching assistants. It is targeting that support at years 11, 12 and 13 as well as disadvantaged learners and vulnerable children and young people of all ages. I know that local authorities are reporting that they're very pleased with the way in which the recruitment is taking place in that particular regard. I think that's been particularly successful in terms of our efforts to support children and young people. We're also providing additional funding of £12 million in 2021-22 to continue that important work to combat the loss of learning, skills and productivity, to bring those benefits to children and young people across Wales.