As far as the new curriculum is concerned, this is seen as providing a very important opportunity to make the sort of progress we need to see in Wales. It's very exciting and has great potential. And of course, it's built on four purposes and aims to develop learners who are ambitious and capable, enterprising and creative, ethical and informed, and healthy and confident citizens. So, it's very much on that wider territory of personal development, social progress, having those life chances and that quality of life that we want to see our children and young people enjoying, as well as economic progress and advantage. It's very much underpinned by the aim of reducing inequalities in education. I welcome that national mission aiming to achieve high standards and aspirations for all, and the value of not giving up on learners who are disadvantaged by poverty through the continuation of support for learners throughout their educational journey by providing them with opportunities to achieve their potential and fulfil their aspirations. 

A very important part of the Welsh Government's strategy is the pupil development grant, one of their flagship policies first introduced some 10 years ago with the direct aim of tackling the impact of deprivation and disadvantage on educational outcomes. It provides extra money to schools based on the number of pupils eligible for free school meals on their roll, and it seeks to try and weaken that link between relative deprivation and high attainment. Of course, we know of many positive cases of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds that go on to do very well in life, and do very well in education, but too many do not follow that route and are largely not equipped, encouraged and facilitated to do so through systemic failure. The Welsh Government's commitment of £130 per annum on the pupil deprivation grant is very valuable indeed, and of course it covers not just those eligible for free school meals, but also looked-after children and those in referral units. The increase of a further £20 million from 2022-23 is also very welcome, particularly in the light of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. 

In the last Senedd term, as a member of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, I know that the report 'On the Money?' focused on the pupil deprivation grant and its effectiveness, and made many important recommendations to make the most of this investment. Of course, the earliest years are absolutely crucial, and Flying Start is a very important programme for this effort. Children under four years of age living in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales benefit. In Newport, over 3,000 children, and many more in my patch, as it were, in the Monmouthshire council area, benefit from these services. Thirty-eight per cent of that Newport figure are children from an ethnic minority background, and I would very much support what Julie Morgan, our Deputy Minister for Social Services, said in regard to the programme, when she said:

'I have heard from parents and carers about the positive impact Flying Start has had on their families. We are committed to expanding early years provision and this excellent programme is the best way of delivering this. We know children who attend quality early years settings benefit from spending time in a happy, nurturing environment with their peers and are better prepared for primary education.'

In Newport East as well, the pupil development grant is delivering very important opportunities, advantages and benefits. Ringland Primary School, I think, is a very good example of this. The community of Ringland has relative deprivation, and it is great to see that the work of the school has been recognised as the Voice 21 spotlight school, a pioneer in terms of oracy and well-being. And in Lliswerry High School, a big proportion of the PDG has employed specialist staff to very good effect. 

In conclusion, I'll just mention one other very welcome development, which is Welsh Government increasingly prioritising and highlighting community-focused schools. We know many children in deprived areas do not get the mum's taxi experiences, but they will benefit from activities and opportunities after the school day if they're provided at their school. Dirprwy Lywydd, Wales once seemed to provide teachers to the world. I do believe education is still very much valued in our culture and DNA. We must draw on that spirit and those values for a national mission to engage our children, families and communities to ensure all our children, young people and lifelong learners succeed in our country.