Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, has called on the Welsh Government to reverse dramatic funding cuts to 6th Forms in Conwy.

A 5.6% cut – equivalent to £260,087 – to funding for the 2018-19 allocation, will be followed by a 10.62% to the national allocation in 2019-20 – a cut of £9.8m.

Janet said:

“These cuts deprive our pupils of receiving the best deal in terms of their education.

“Sixth form is a crucial time of learning for many pupils – where the choices they make can influence their future education or career paths.

“Ensuring the best quality education at this age is an investment in our future – from health service workers, to future teacher, entrepreneurs, and many other vocations – high quality and properly funded post-16 learning is essential to our future prosperity, and I urge the Welsh Government to revisit this potentially catastrophic funding decision.”

ENDS

Notes:

Photo - Janet Finch-Saunders AM at Ysgol John Bright, Llandudno

Correspondence sent to Local Authorities by the Welsh Government regarding post-16 funding, states: “You will also be aware that the published Post-16 budget is due to decrease by £9.8m in 2019-20 and consideration of how this reduction will be applied has not been included in the indicative allocations shown.

The Assembly Member has tabled the following WAQ to the Cabinet Secretary for Education:

• Will the Cabinet Secretary outline the reasons for the decrease in the Post-16 education budget in 2019-20?
• What steps will the Cabinet Secretary be taking to minimise the impact on pupils and teacher of the budget cuts to Post-16 education for 2019-20?
• How is the Cabinet Secretary working with Welsh Government colleagues to look at ways to reduce the proposed cuts to the Post-16 education budget for 2019-20?