§ Ms LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for raising educational standards in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [7644]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI have today laid before the House a White Paper, the first in modern times to focus exclusively on education in Wales. Called "Building Excellent Schools Together", it sets out our vision of improving standards through co-operation to create an education system designed to benefit the many, not the few.
Central to the White Paper are our key principles. We have promised to make education and training the cardinal priority of government in Wales. We shall work with teachers, recognising their efforts and encouraging them to succeed in lifting achievement and attainment across the board. We shall focus on standards, rather than a damaging concentration on structures'and we will not tolerate underperformance. We shall also ensure that government policy is applied in a way that reflects the distinctive needs and circumstances of Wales.
Raising standards of literacy and numeracy will be at the heart of our programme of reform. Following my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement to the House on 2 July, substantial extra funding will be allocated to education in Wales and we shall use this where we can achieve the best results. We shall also provide leadership and support to all those who have a contribution to make in the drive to raise standards overall. This will draw in the help of everyone with a stake in excellent education for all pupils at school in Wales; teachers, parents, governors, education authorities and business people alike.