I thank the welcome that the Member gave to that statement. She's posed a series of questions; I'll do my best to try and run through them as comprehensively but briefly as I can. I don't think it's helpful to talk about grade inflation. We will see that some learners prefer and perform better with exams, and some will do better in continuous assessment. There has been an equalities lens that has been applied to the design of assessment at a centre level. What I can say with certainty is that learners this year will have provided evidence of attainment, and that we've supported schools to deliver a consistent, fair and fairly-applied approach so that learners can have confidence in the grades that they will be awarded.

In relation to the first step, as she calls it, I actually think that's an important step because it gives learners an early indication of their prospective grades, and provides them with the opportunity of seeking a review, and provides them with an opportunity of taking that forward to appeal if they're not content with that. And I think the fact that that first step is happening during term time has the effect of meaning that in Wales—I think uniquely—that work will be done during term time rather than during the summer holidays, and gives students that assurances of the direction in which they're going. If students are given grades now that they are content with, those will be the grades that they have, just to be clear. I've read speculation in the press about a sense of limbo. If learners have got the grades and if they wish to review them, that's a matter for them and they're obviously entitled to do that, but if they're content with their grades, those are their grades. 

In relation to students doing English exam boards, there are reciprocal arrangements, and in relation to private candidates, either those will be assessed with centres with which they have existing relationships, or by the WJEC in centres that have agreed to host them.

In relation to the fees, a 50 per cent discount is a significant discount. Teachers have worked incredibly hard to deliver the assessments required for this summer, but the WJEC also has had a very significant role in providing guidance and resource and quality assurance and materials in order to enable that to happen. They are themselves a charity and therefore they need to ensure that their costs are reflected in that. The announcement I've made today will release significant further moneys into the system. 

In relation to guidance to learners, Qualifications Wales has published a guide to learners about the appeals process.

In relation to vocational arrangements, there are some qualifications where, because of the very nature of them, they may be qualifications in sectors, for example, that because of COVID have been under restrictions. Social care would be a good example of that. We have invested £26 million in the sector to support the sector to address that, and a further £41.5 million to support learners who are transitioning through those qualifications, but there will be examples where that has not been, obviously, as straightforward, unfortunately.

In relation to 2022, Qualifications Wales has already indicated that the assessments for next year will need to be adapted so that the content of the course reflects the disruption that has occurred already in the system. WJEC is consulting on that, and I understand that their intention is to make an announcement before the end of the summer term.