, Cabinet Minister for
Education and the Welsh Language: I have made clear since coming
into office that the sustainability of the Additional Learning
Needs (ALN) system is a key priority for me and this
government.
I recognise the significant financial and operational pressures
facing schools, colleges, local authorities and support services
including those relating to wellbeing, mental health,
disadvantaged learners and ALN, and how this impacts learners,
their families and the workforce.
I have seen for myself during my visits to schools and settings
the commitment, expertise and innovation that exists across the
system. But we know there are challenges and the system is not
yet working as well as it could be everywhere or for
everyone.
That is why my officials and I have been working at pace to
engage with stakeholders across the system to secure an
appropriate way forward.
This work has been undertaken on two levels; the first focussing
on how we can alleviate existing pressures within the system, and
second, how we can develop a more sustainable ALN model that
works for all long into the future.
As part of this engagement, we have been working with education
trade unions, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and
the Association of Directors of Education in Wales (ADEW), who
have each provided valuable insight and understanding of the
complexity of the ALN system as it currently
operates.
It was made clear to me that getting more funding into schools
and settings was of most pressing concern, and I am delighted
that we have been able achieve this with the support of partners.
We agreed, by exchange of letters on September 18, to consider a
range of proposals put forward in negotiation with ASCL Cymru,
and remain in active discussions with NAHT Cymru over pay and
workload.
We have also engaged in constructive dialogue with other parties
in order to gain the necessary political support in the
Senedd.
In light of an agreement between the Welsh Government and the
Labour Group in the Senedd, the Cabinet Minister for Finance has
laid a Second Supplementary Budget which will see an additional
£60m invested into Wales' ALN system. The money will be divided
in the following ways:
- £56m to the Education Reform (Local Authority Education
Grant) to be split 80/20 (£44.8m/11.2m) directly to schools/Local
Authorities;
- £1.5m to support the development of a long-term
sustainability plan; and
- £2.5m to Medr for the Further Education sector.
It is my hope that this additional funding, to be used in-year,
will alleviate some of the more immediate financial and
operational pressures facing schools, colleges, local authorities
and support services. As such, I would hope that the
announcement wins favour across the Siamber.
However, we recognise that there is more work still to be done
and remain committed to developing a sustainable ALN system that
is fit for purpose in the medium to longer-term. We are keen to
begin this work as soon as possible.
Funding allocations for ALN for future years will be considered
as part of our preparations for the Draft Budget for 2027-28, in
the context of a need to reach cross-party support.
I would like to place on record my thanks to all key education
partners for their constructive contributions to ALN development
in Wales.
