Thank you, Cabinet Minister, for your statement, and for sharing it in advance also, and for your early engagement. I declare an interest as an LEA governor as well. I agree with you, Cabinet Minister, that education should be giving every young person in Wales the best possible start in life, but parents across Wales are all asking the same question: is this system delivering the standards our children deserve? And unfortunately, the answer right now to that question is 'no'; the system is not delivering the standards our children deserve. The fact is that we are spending more per head in Wales than in England, yet outcomes continue to lag behind.
So, I wonder, as my first question, Cabinet Minister, if you have a view as to the biggest reason why there continues to be a gap, despite that sustained investment over time. It's not enough to point to increased spending; we have to be honest about whether that money is translating into better outcomes for learners. And you've rightly pointed to the desired focus on standards. The reality is that we continue to see Wales at or near the bottom of UK education rankings, and consistently doing poorly on international PISA rankings, with too many young people still leaving school without secure literacy and numeracy skills. That's a long-standing issue and one that requires urgent attention and clear accountability. And in particular, on those PISA rankings, I wonder if you have a target in mind as to where you want Wales to be at the end of this Senedd term to show progress in relation to all-important standards, and also a position that you want to be held accountable for in terms of those PISA rankings.
Attendance remains below that of pre-pandemic levels—I agree with you that there has to be a focus on attendance—falling from 94 per cent to around 91 per cent currently. For some of the most vulnerable learners, particularly those eligible for free school meals, persistent absence remains far too high. So, I wonder what further action will be taken to engage with parents to drive up attendance and ensure consistency across all schools, particularly for those disadvantaged pupils.
We're also, as we've heard, seeing pressures on the system itself. We know that teacher numbers and support staff numbers have fallen in recent years, while demands on schools have increased. And Cabinet Minister, you mentioned the new teacher initiative of £20,000 to encourage new teachers into the system. But you'll also know that, in England, new teachers are offered £30,000 to start teaching. So, I wonder how you think you'll address that gap of £30,000 to start teaching in England but £20,000 to start teaching here in Wales.
On mobile phones in schools, this has been an issue raised consistently by teachers and headteachers, and by the Welsh Conservatives in this Chamber as well. And new survey findings published today by the Welsh Conservatives also reinforce this concern, showing mobile phone restrictions are widely seen as having positive impacts on reducing distraction, improving behaviour, tackling bullying and supporting learner well-being. I welcome your statement, your commitment, to consult on statutory guidance to limit mobile phone use in schools. But can you confirm today whether the Welsh Government intends to take a more consistent, national approach to mobile phone use in schools, or whether it will continue to leave these decisions entirely to individual schools without a national framework in place?
You acknowledged, Cabinet Minister, the importance of higher education to the Welsh economy, and indeed Lynne Neagle also picked up on this point, because it, of course, helps create jobs and growth. However, we know that fewer students are going to university here in Wales than in England, which is putting pressure on universities and how they are funded. I believe if we connect universities, apprenticeships and the needs of the economy more closely, we can keep higher education strong, make it more accessible and ensure it's financially sustainable in the long term. But I'd be keen to hear your views on the future of the sector. I appreciate you've answered that, in part, to Lynne Neagle a moment ago, but I would be keen to hear that in a little more detail, to give that assurance to our higher education providers.
Deputy Presiding Officer, this is a system that the new Welsh Government has inherited, a system with clear and persistent challenges, so the question that needs answering now is not linked to blame, but about direction and outcomes. Because, ultimately, people will judge this Welsh Government not on plans or statements, but on whether things actually improve in the classroom, and, in my role in this place, that's what I will continue to do to scrutinise your decisions. Diolch yn fawr iawn.