Welsh Lib Dems - Assembly vote gives chance for a fair education system

3.56.00pm GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

The Welsh Lib Dems are the only party committed to a free and fair education system

Welsh Liberal Democrats will this afternoon stage a vote in the Assembly, calling on proper recognition of the role of Further and Higher Education in Wales.

The Labour-Plaid Government's recent budget has caused anger in the sector, and led to dire warnings about cuts to jobs and courses.

Speaking ahead of the debate this afternoon, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Education Minister, Jenny Randerson AM said:

"The latest Labour-Plaid budget saw 5% cuts across Welsh Universities and further squeezes on colleges and sixth forms. This is in addition to the frankly awful gap between education funding compared to England.

"In our alternative budget, the Welsh Lib Dems showed how these awful cuts could be avoided by freezing central budgets, investigating waste in the NHS and prioritising frontline services.

"The Government will simply try to claim that ProAct has provided extra funding for education institutions, but recent figures show that in some areas like Conwy and Ceredigion, less than ten people have been supported by the scheme.

"If we are to re-balance the Welsh economy, we are going to need to provide better skills training and education. Cutting the funding at a time like this is frankly irresponsible."

Notes:

The motion to be debated this afternoon reads as follows:

NDM4393 Peter Black (South Wales West)

The National Assembly for Wales calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to recognise the crucial role of further and higher education by improving investment in these sectors.