National Assembly for Wales

In 2016, the Welsh co-operative and mutuals commission did a review, which recommended a co-operative ethos should be the central organising principle of the education system in Wales. Our national mission of education reform, developed through co-construction, is building an inclusive and equitable education system which supports every learner.

Admissions authorities must comply with the Welsh Government’s school admissions code. The code aims to safeguard the interests of children, parents and schools by ensuring that school admissions are administered in the fairest and most equitable way possible.

Funding from Welsh Government to Literature Wales remains at the same level this year as last year, and is an increase on two years ago. In updating colleagues on changes to performance measures and education reforms, I have discussed issues of take-up and attainment across subjects, including literature and language.

I have commissioned a review of eating disorder services following the publication of new NICE guidelines in 2017. The review started in early 2018 and is being led by Dr Jacinta Tan of Swansea University. It is considering all aspects of service provision and will report later in 2018.

We are committed to delivering a sustainable social care sector with a valued and supported workforce. We brought forward the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 to provide greater flexibility for providers to ensure the level of nursing staff is appropriate to the needs of individuals.

I have regular accountability meetings with health boards and trusts. These meetings allow me to challenge and assess organisational delivery and performance against agreed integrated medium-term plans, planning objectives and support achievement of the outcomes and indicators as set out in the national outcome and delivery framework.

The overwhelming majority of people in Wales are very satisfied with the care they receive from the NHS. We are working with the NHS and GPs on improving access as part of our programme of contract and service reform.

Access to NHS dental care has improved significantly in recent years although difficulties remain in some areas. Health boards have the budgets and responsibility for the provision of dental services and are working to address gaps in service provision by commissioning additional services.