, Plenary
Topical Questions
Well, regulation is one approach. We have a joint programme to extend standards. I should declare that I don't bank with HSBC as it happens. [Laughter.] Everyone seems to be informing us of who they bank with, but just to be clear on that. I would also say…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Well, I agree with the Member on that and his commitment to Welsh-medium technology is well known and clear, and I share that commitment. We talk regularly, don't we, about usage, usage, usage being the way to ensure that our language prospers, and we have to…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I do agree with that. It is also contrary to our aim as a Government, which is shared widely across this Senedd, that the Welsh language belongs to us all, and that people should have the opportunity to use the language in doing something as personal as…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I certainly agree with the last point that the Member made about the importance of a community bank for Wales able to provide the needs of customers in both languages in Wales—indeed, in a multiplicity of languages in Wales, as it happens. I do agree with him…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I received the letter this morning, as did everyone else. So, that was the first I'd heard of the decision by HSBC. Other organisations—. We've had a recent discussion in the Chamber on Duolingo. As it happens, they've agreed to a meeting in light of a letter…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
I thank the Member for those supplementary questions. She knows that banks can't be subject to standards—they're not listed in the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 as a sector. She also knows that a work programme has been agreed with Plaid Cymru on…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
This is very disappointing indeed. Increasing the use of the Welsh language has been a clear priority for me, as it has been for the Member, from the very outset. We have been in contact with the office of the Welsh Language Commissioner, and I understand…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
No-one's put that proposal to me. Discussions, of course, are ongoing in light of the tertiary education and research commission on how providers within the post-16 sector can collaborate more effectively in many different ways. That is part of the mindset at…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Over the summer months, I have had conversations with higher education institution leaders and chairs, and with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, about the financial stability of the higher education sector in Wales. Discussions are ongoing with…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I do share that view with some diffidence, given her professional background and her knowledge of this at first-hand. But the professional learning entitlement, which is now a little over a year old, I think is already playing an important role, really, on…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Ensuring high-quality teaching through career-long professional learning is integral to our vision for education in Wales. I recently announced a new national endorsement process to quality-assure professional learning provision for the education workforce…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, I do recognise that, certainly in the past, the challenges that the Member has articulated today have been very real. But I do feel that the tide is turning. I'm sure that the Member will know that a working group of the Wales Coasts and Seas…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Learning about the environment is mandatory in the Curriculum for Wales. There are opportunities within the curriculum for schools to include learning about ocean literacy, sustainability and the impact of human action on the environment in their curriculum.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I think the Member makes a very important point. He will, I'm sure, have read the report of Hefin David in relation to transitions from education to employment, which is very much on a similar theme. I know he shares that view and I feel very strongly about…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Higher level apprenticeships, as are all other apprenticeships, are the policy responsibility of the Minister for Economy, but we work closely, of course, across portfolios. The latest figures show increases in starts from academic years 2019 to 2022, and we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, congratulations to Wibli Wobli, and I'm pleased to hear them acknowledged in the Chamber as well. I think that the Member makes an important point about making every effort that we can to ensure that those who wish to be able to practise and provide…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, I'm sure that they will be very delighted with the fact that you have raised that in the Chamber today—the support that you are providing to your local school—and I'm very happy to endorse and share that. Congratulations to them.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, I'd be very interested to read the report. I share the priority that the Member has placed on the importance of this, for reasons that we would both share in terms of our ambitions for the language and for the provision for our children and young…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Our 'Cymraeg 2050' action plan sets out our commitment to expanding Welsh-medium nursery provision. We continue to work closely with Mudiad Meithrin and other partners to grow the Welsh-medium childcare sector, investing in the workforce and in building new…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I do recognise the points the Member is quoting from the report. I think it's also important to say, both in response to the points he's made and that the leader of the opposition made, that this is part of an overall assessment of all parts of our education…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I thank the Member for that supplementary question. It's absolutely crucial, I think, that we take a whole-system approach to literacy and oracy, reflecting the point that the leader of the opposition asked about earlier as well. The oracy and reading…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Well, literacy is at the heart of the Curriculum for Wales as one of the mandatory cross-curricular skills. Literacy skills are key to our children and young people being able to access learning for life and in breaking down the barriers to reaching their…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Thank you to Jack Sargeant for that question. I'm obviously aware of the petition and the CYPE committee's ongoing inquiry on education reforms. And, just to be clear, I think the insights of parents and carers are absolutely vital and, whatever level of…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The results for 2022-23 will be the results of young people who haven't yet been through the education system in its reformed form, with the implementation of the additional learning needs reforms. As the Member knows, we are two years into a four-year…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The additional learning needs system changes both the legal framework and practices to help ensure children and young people with ALN receive the support they need to meet their individual needs.
