Latest news with #AlunDavies
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Disabled children ‘denied' school support, Senedd hears
Senedd members considered a 1,454-name petition calling for a ban on the term 'universal provision' – which refers to the support available to all pupils. Parents warned councils are using the term to deny disabled children the person-centred, additional support they need in school to reach their full potential. As part of a 'transformation programme', the Senedd passed a law in 2018 to bring in an additional learning needs (ALN) system to replace special educational needs (SEN) support. The number of disabled children receiving support has fallen by nearly half since 2020/21 when roll-out began – with 40,000 fewer pupils receiving ALN or SEN support in 2023/24. In 2017, then-minister Alun Davies assured the Senedd's education committee that the cohort of pupils within the scope of the new system would be 'broadly similar'. Victoria Lightbown, who submitted the petition, wrote: 'Despite this clarification, local authorities and members of Welsh Government continue to allow this term to be used to refuse a learner ALN status and provide additional learning provision. 'There can only be one solution and that is that this term is banned from use. 'While members of the Welsh Government still use this term when discussing ALN including during media interviews, it gives local authorities opportunity to follow suit and continue to deny ALN to learners.' Lynne Neagle wrote to the Senedd's petitions committee in response to the petition, apologising for a near-three month delay in replying to correspondence. Wales' education secretary, who chaired the education committee as it scrutinised reforms in 2017, said: 'I want to be clear that 'universal provision' should not be a reason to deny ALN. 'However, I am aware that the term 'universal provision' is widely used by schools and local authorities when describing the provision… generally available to all pupils of the same age. 'Estyn's recent thematic review of the ALN reforms reports there is confusion in schools and local authorities around what constitutes 'universal' provision and what is ALP. This confusion is causing difficulties when determining whether a learner has ALN.'
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Disabled children ‘denied' school support, Senedd hears
Senedd members considered a 1,454-name petition calling for a ban on the term 'universal provision' – which refers to the support available to all pupils. Parents warned councils are using the term to deny disabled children the person-centred, additional support they need in school to reach their full potential. As part of a 'transformation programme', the Senedd passed a law in 2018 to bring in an additional learning needs (ALN) system to replace special educational needs (SEN) support. The number of disabled children receiving support has fallen by nearly half since 2020/21 when roll-out began – with 40,000 fewer pupils receiving ALN or SEN support in 2023/24. In 2017, then-minister Alun Davies assured the Senedd's education committee that the cohort of pupils within the scope of the new system would be 'broadly similar'. Victoria Lightbown, who submitted the petition, wrote: 'Despite this clarification, local authorities and members of Welsh Government continue to allow this term to be used to refuse a learner ALN status and provide additional learning provision. 'There can only be one solution and that is that this term is banned from use. 'While members of the Welsh Government still use this term when discussing ALN including during media interviews, it gives local authorities opportunity to follow suit and continue to deny ALN to learners.' Lynne Neagle wrote to the Senedd's petitions committee in response to the petition, apologising for a near-three month delay in replying to correspondence. Wales' education secretary, who chaired the education committee as it scrutinised reforms in 2017, said: 'I want to be clear that 'universal provision' should not be a reason to deny ALN. 'However, I am aware that the term 'universal provision' is widely used by schools and local authorities when describing the provision… generally available to all pupils of the same age. 'Estyn's recent thematic review of the ALN reforms reports there is confusion in schools and local authorities around what constitutes 'universal' provision and what is ALP. This confusion is causing difficulties when determining whether a learner has ALN.'
Business News Wales
06-06-2025
- Business News Wales
Barry Rail Depot Restored in Transport Upgrade
Passenger train drivers are once again based in Barry for the first time since the 1990s after work was completed on the depot there. The move sees the number of people working at the depot rise to 58. Transport for Wales took over the rail depot there in 2022 and have been proceeding to develop it alongside partners in Network Rail. From the May timetable change on 18 May, 39 drivers will now be based there alongside depot colleagues, cleaners and train crew managers. Most of the Class 756 and Class 231 fleets will be stabled there to serve the lines between Rhymney and Barry Island, as well as the Treherbert, Merthyr and Aberdare lines (until the Class 398 fleet enter service). Heavy maintenance and fuelling will continue to take place at Canton Depot in Cardiff. Depot Manager Alun Davies said: 'This is transformational for people and the area and is testament to the hard work of so many to make it happen. 'It's incredible to have the drivers coming back here. 'When we took the depot on it required a major clean up operation. We took a really joined up approach to it, putting safety and sustainability at the forefront, as well as looking ahead and planning for the future.' As part of the work a safe walking route has been installed between Barry town railway station and the depot. A sustainable well-being garden has also been created for staff and visitors, which also helps to support biodiversity around the depot. Barry depot had been built in the 1890s as part of the developments of the docks and railway. However it closed as a driver depot in the 1980s as British Rail looked to reorganise ahead of privatisation in the early 1990s. EWS had drivers based there until 1999. Prior to TFW takeover, John Buxton, Director of Cambrian Transport, operated out of the site since 2009. The depot, garden and crossing were officially opened to drivers at a special event where MS Jane Hutt, Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett and several other key local stakeholders were given a tour of the depot.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Constitutional concerns don't stop Senedd backing data bill
Senedd members voted 39-11 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill, which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade. But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales. Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters. Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the first minister. He told the Senedd: 'The first minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.' During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd's legislation committee – expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term. Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers 'conceding' constitutional concerns. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU. Rebecca Evans, Wales' economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were 'not aligned in the devolution analysis.' Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations. Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would 'not normally' legislate in devolved areas without such consent.
Western Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Constitutional concerns don't stop Senedd backing data bill
Senedd members voted 39-11 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill , which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade. But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales. Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters. Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the first minister. He told the Senedd: 'The first minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.' During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd's legislation committee – expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term. Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers 'conceding' constitutional concerns. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU. Rebecca Evans, Wales' economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were 'not aligned in the devolution analysis.' Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations. Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would 'not normally' legislate in devolved areas without such consent.
