National Assembly for Wales

Powys County Council education services have recently been inspected. I have noted the outcome of the inspection. An action plan has been developed to address the issues and a new leadership team has been put in place within the authority to drive improvements.

I visited Sony UK, Pencoed with the former First Minister in 2016. Since then significant progress has been made to put provisions in place to improve learners’ coding skills, including the implementation of our 'Cracking the Code' plan.  

My priorities are clear: raising standards for all, reducing the attainment gap and delivering an education system that is a source of national pride and public confidence. Our 2019-20 budget continues to be committed to the success and well-being of every learner, regardless of background or personal circumstance.

Our dementia action plan, supported by an extra £10 million a year funding, sets out our vision for Wales to be a dementia friendly nation that recognises the rights of people with dementia to feel valued and to live as independently as possible.

I expect all patients to be seen and treated in a timely manner and within our targets. I have made available £50 million to health boards to build on recent progress and improve waiting times further by March 2020. Swansea Bay UHB has received a share of this funding.

The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has commenced work to develop a long-term integrated healthcare strategy. This will include further consideration of how the recommendations of the south Wales programme are to be taken forward. The proposals will be underpinned and informed by stakeholder engagement.

As a result of Welsh Government action, working with our partners, including Health Education and Improvement Wales, this year we have been able to increase the number of GP training places in Wales from 136 to 160. This will benefit all communities in Wales.