I thank Heledd Fychan for those questions and the welcome that she’s given to this afternoon’s statement and to the report for the first reporting year.

In terms of the strategic plans, I would say that much ambition has been demonstrated by each and every authority, so I don’t agree with her description in her question that there has been a lack of ambition. But it’s also certain that we don’t just need ambition in terms of the plan and the statement; we need progress on the ground too, not just ambition and words. That’s certainly true. It’s my intention over the next few weeks to have meetings with every leader in Wales and the cabinet members for education and the Welsh language, so that we understand what’s happening in terms of delivering the WESPs that they have and that I, as Minister, have an opportunity to set out my expectations within the plans agreed. Certainly, those discussions will be constructive and positive. 

In terms of investment in the Welsh-medium estate, I’ve already said in this Chamber that I expect to see progress in terms of WESPs working jointly with the broader investment in the school estate in all parts of Wales, and that will be one of the criteria that I use as a Minister to ensure that we take full account of the responsibilities and commitments of local authorities within the WESPs. It is important that each and every one of us, but also our partners in local government too, promote the benefits of Welsh-medium education—not just meeting demand, but also stimulating demand for Welsh-medium education.

Much of the focus in terms of the WESPs has been on the number of new Welsh-medium schools to be opened over the decade, but many schools mention that they intend to move along the linguistic continuum in terms of categorisation, which is important and the Member acknowledged that in her question.

In terms of the specific points, she raised immersion. Every authority in Wales has applied for an immersion budget. And £2.2 million has already been allocated and another £6.6 million has been allocated until the end of this Senedd term. Each authority has submitted bids. As you would expect, that looks different in different parts of Wales. Every authority is at a different point in their journey towards immersion, but I do share with her the support for immersion here in Wales. It’s a unique way for us in Wales to deliver what we do deliver. It’s something to be celebrated. It’s certainly true that many areas in Wales can learn from others who have been providing immersion over a longer period of time. So, I’m confident that local authorities will take advantage of that, and I agree with her on the importance of investment in Welsh-language opportunities in the post-16 sector. This is an important part of the legislation that we as a Senedd passed at the end of the summer term, and also an important part of the co-operation agreement, including the further investment in the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, which does a lot of good work in the post-16 sector, including apprenticeships.