The final item this afternoon is the debate on Stage 4 of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill. I call on the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language once again to move the motion. Jeremy Miles.

Motion NDM8045 Jeremy Miles

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill.

Motion moved.

Thank you, Llywydd. I move the motion. I wish to start by thanking the Chairs and members of the Children, Young People, and Education Committee, the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and the Finance Committee, as well as other Members who have contributed to the scrutiny of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill. I'm also grateful to all stakeholders who contributed to the various consultations that steered the Bill, provided evidence to the scrutiny process and who continue to engage through the strategy and implementation board.

The Bill we have before us today has been strengthened as a result of stakeholder input, Senedd scrutiny and effective cross-party working. I hope Members will feel that it represents our common vision for the future of tertiary education. The recommendations and comments from committees, particularly CYPE under the leadership of Jayne Bryant, helped me identify areas where the Bill could be further refined, including in relation to matters such as learner welfare, the role of the coleg Cymraeg and strengthening trade union collaboration.

Thank you to everyone who worked with us in the spirit of partnership to deliver this important Bill.

This Bill, for the first time in Welsh legislation, brings together responsibility for overseeing Wales's higher and further education, school sixth forms, apprenticeships and research and innovation in one place, and places the values and vision that we have for post-16 education on a firm statutory footing. Whilst one of the main effects of the Bill is the creation of Wales's first ever national steward for the whole tertiary research sector and the closure of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, the outcome that we are seeking, by shaping a new structure and system, is better supported learners with the knowledge and skills for lifelong learning, development and success. It's only by adopting a whole-system, whole-sector and whole-nation approach that we will narrow educational inequalities, expand opportunities and raise standards. The reforms delivered by this Bill will help break down barriers, secure easier learner pathways and support continued investment in research and innovation.

The new strategic duties that set out in law our values and ambitions for tertiary education in Wales will guide the new commission and the sector. These duties will help embed a renewed commitment to lifelong learning so that Wales becomes a nation of second chances where it's never too late to learn; a focus on wider participation and equality of opportunity; the expansion of Welsh-medium tertiary education provision; a sector global in outlook with a clear civic mission and that contributes to a sustainable and innovative economy, true continuous improvement; a competitive and collaborative research and innovation sector and one that reflects the principles of social partnership. Together with our statement of priorities, these strategic duties provide the long-term strategic planning framework this valued and varied sector needs to deliver as we recover, renew and reform.

Everyone has the right to a happy education experience, and I want Wales to have a reputation in the UK and internationally for putting learners and their well-being at the centre of our education system. Through this Bill, we are focusing on the success and well-being of learners of all ages across all settings and in all communities. Learners are at the heart of these reforms, and the commission will take a system-wide view, supporting learners throughout their lives to have the knowledge and skills to succeed.

Llywydd, I view this Bill as the parity of esteem Bill, supporting the different but complementary strengths of all institutions so that learners of all ages have access to the full range of opportunities and are able to contribute economically, academically and to our communities. Many in this Siambr and across the country have long imagined a future where we break down the barriers between sectors, institutions and students. By voting for this Bill today, we are no longer imagining that future, we are making it—

Will the Minister take an intervention?

Certainly.

Thank you for taking the intervention, Minister. Last week, I intervened about the provisions regarding higher education institutions and the provisions that could force amalgamations of those institutions with the provisions that are contained in the Bill. Could you give an assurance that only in exceptional circumstances that those provisions would be enacted by the Minister, and that it is a case that these higher education institutions we have here in Wales are independent bodies and should continue to enjoy that independence, and that provisions in this Bill are not a Trojan horse to force amalgamations of the university sector?

Well, the Member will recall the assurance I gave to the Chamber at Stage 3. The Bill, as he knows, includes provision for institutional autonomy, and I gave the commitment then, which I'm happy to repeat, that those powers could only ever be used in exceptional circumstances.

As I previously said, Llywydd, this change is long overdue, and I intend to maintain momentum and progress with the implementation of this Bill while continuing to work collaboratively to deliver for learners and communities across Wales. We're on the threshold of a new era for post-16 education, ready to grasp the opportunities of this century in the interest of our learners and the needs of our economy, our communities and the nation, and I urge all Members to support the Bill.

I'd firstly like to place on Record my gratitude as well to the clerks and legal staff throughout the passage of this Bill, and I extend that thanks to our Chair of the CYPE committee, Jayne Bryant, the CYPE committee, and all that have played a part in getting this Bill to Stage 4 today. I'd also, of course, like to thank the Minister for listening to our concerns in the main, recognising the Welsh Conservatives' contributions to the Bill. I'm glad we were able to co-operate to deliver on notable improvements to this legislation.

Whilst we support the overarching aims of this Bill, there are, of course, some concerns that remain. But, despite our concerns, we will be voting in support of this Bill today. It has generally been a very constructive approach from all parties to ensure that this Bill allays fears and delivers what we all want to see—an improved education—and to ensure that this legislation will stand the test of time. We were, as I've stated from the start of these proceedings, concerned about the rapid timeline of this Bill, but, given the circumstances, we were determined to make the best of this opportunity to help improve tertiary education and research in Wales. We were therefore happy to see that the Minister has been open to addressing a number of our concerns, such as issues of surrounding additional learning needs, learner well-being and the transparency of funding policy, which were areas I was happy to collaborate with him on.

As I've declared repeatedly throughout the stages of this Bill, to get the most success out of this new commission, it must be the case that this new body is truly able to operate independently of the Welsh Government. Welsh Ministers becoming too involved would lead to the creation of unclear governance structures, confusion and delay, all of which would hinder the ability of the commission to deliver on its objectives.

I still remain concerned that such a substantial budget is to be at the disposal of this new commission—proper financial responsibility should be demonstrated. Myself and my party will continue to closely monitor the implementation of this Bill to ensure that it delivers real improvements to the quality of tertiary education and research in Wales, and we'll also be keeping an eye on how much influence Ministers exercise over the commission in order to make certain that its independence and autonomy are not compromised as it discharges its duties. I would really appreciate it if the Minister could keep the Senedd informed with updates on the commission and progress being made. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. We've broken new ground in collaborating on this Bill. It's the first piece of legislation that's part of our co-operation agreement with the Government, and I'm pleased to have been able to represent Plaid Cymru as spokesperson on post-16 education as we scrutinised and amended this Bill in a collaborative and positive manner with you, Minister.

Throughout this Bill's legislative journey through the Senedd, we've made a consistent case in favour of strengthening the Bill in regard to Welsh-medium provision in the post-16 sector. We asked for strengthening of the wording on the strategic duty so that the commission encouraged demand for Welsh-medium education, and that promoting Welsh-language research should be added to the commission's duty. We were pleased that the Minister responded to our concerns and stakeholders' views.

We as a party were also pleased to support the Minister's amendment at Stage 2, which will now ensure that membership of the proposed commission will include someone with expertise in Welsh-medium education or training. In this regard, having emphasised the important role of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol in the field of planning, and investing in increasing Welsh-language and bilingual provision in the post-compulsory sector, I was pleased that the Minister agreed that the coleg has a role in advising the commission.

During Stage 1, the committee heard a number of concerns expressed regarding the proposed commission's relationship with post-16 provision in sixth forms, and we heard of concerns that the Bill could lead to the removal of local accountability for this unique element of education provision, and particularly Welsh-medium education provision. And I'm pleased to have been able to support the Minister's amendments that responded appropriately to these concerns.

Plaid Cymru felt that the Bill would have been further strengthened by giving voting rights to the commission's associate members, thus ensuring a stronger voice to the representatives of learners and students and representatives of the workforce, thereby providing them with adequate rights. And I was disappointed that our amendment at Stage 2 was not supported, but I was pleased the Minister tabled an amendment regarding the need for the commission to have a strategic duty to promote collaboration between tertiary education providers and trade unions, in line with the committee's recommendation last week. I think that's been shown to be more important than ever.

Bearing in mind the importance of research and innovation to our nation and our universities, I was pleased to receive support for our amendment at Stage 3 that extended academic freedom to include research and innovation activities, as well as the provision of higher education courses.

Minister, I know that the sector is particularly interested now in focusing on the implementation of this legislation once it's passed, as the sector has been waiting a long time for these reforms. So, I wonder whether you could confirm whether the Welsh Government can commit to publishing a timetable for implementation before recess?

As I conclude, I would like to put on record my thanks to the committee's clerking, research and legal teams. As a new Member I couldn't have done any of this work without them, and I would also like to thank stakeholders for their thorough and detailed work during the scrutiny process. And I would just like to say that I am proud of the constructive collaboration between Plaid Cymru and the Government on this issue and that this constructive engagement has led to the improvement of the legislation during its passage through the Senedd.

The Minister to reply to those comments.

May I just say, in conclusion, Llywydd, 'thank you' to Sioned Williams and Laura Anne Jones for their co-operation as the Bill travelled through the Senedd? It's been good to work with them on a number of constructive amendments, and also to have agreement from two parties in terms of the strategic duties for the sector in future. It's important, in bringing forward amendments or changes that we hope will be in place for decades, that we have agreement across parties wherever possible, and we've succeeded in that to a certain extent, so I'd like to thank them again for their co-operation.

In accordance with Standing Order 26.50C, a recorded vote must be taken on Stage 4 motions, so we will take a short break now to prepare for that vote.

Plenary was suspended at 18:28.

The Senedd reconvened at 18:32, with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.