By Paul Dicken
13 January 2010
New Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has promised to increase education spending from 2011.
In his first outing at First Minister’s Questions on January 12, Jones, who was elected Welsh Labour leader on December 1, told Assembly Members he would seek to boost the education block grant, a commitment made in his leadership campaign.
Questioned by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams on whether he would introduce a supplementary budget to increase allocations to education, Jones said: ‘I intend to keep to the promise I made and that is to look at increasing spending along the lines you mentioned from 2011 onwards.
‘We already have a substantial education budget and one thing I would certainly never want to do is make promises that are unaffordable.’
The first minister was also questioned on the Welsh Assembly Government’s response to the adverse weather conditions. He said salt stocks were diminishing but a delivery was expected this week to go to priority areas.
He also warned that hospital services were coming under pressure. He said the WAG might review the guidance given to schools on opening in severe weather, after AMs raised concerns about school closures.
Jones announced a Cabinet reshuffle on December 10, when he became first minister. Former chief whip Carl Sargeant became minister for social justice and local government, deputy regeneration minister Leighton Andrews became minister for children, education and lifelong learning, with Jane Hutt taking over the business and budget portfolio.
Social justice minister Brian Gibbons and finance minister Andrew Davies both stood down in the reshuffle.
Two new junior portfolios were also created, with Lesley Griffiths becoming deputy minister for skills, innovation and science, and Huw Lewis stepping into the role of deputy minister for children.
Jones won the contest to become Welsh Labour leader, overcoming challenges from Health Minister Edwina Hart and Huw Lewis AM to take over from Rhodri Morgan.
13 January 2010
New Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has promised to increase education spending from 2011.
In his first outing at First Minister’s Questions on January 12, Jones, who was elected Welsh Labour leader on December 1, told Assembly Members he would seek to boost the education block grant, a commitment made in his leadership campaign.
Questioned by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams on whether he would introduce a supplementary budget to increase allocations to education, Jones said: ‘I intend to keep to the promise I made and that is to look at increasing spending along the lines you mentioned from 2011 onwards.
‘We already have a substantial education budget and one thing I would certainly never want to do is make promises that are unaffordable.’
The first minister was also questioned on the Welsh Assembly Government’s response to the adverse weather conditions. He said salt stocks were diminishing but a delivery was expected this week to go to priority areas.
He also warned that hospital services were coming under pressure. He said the WAG might review the guidance given to schools on opening in severe weather, after AMs raised concerns about school closures.
Jones announced a Cabinet reshuffle on December 10, when he became first minister. Former chief whip Carl Sargeant became minister for social justice and local government, deputy regeneration minister Leighton Andrews became minister for children, education and lifelong learning, with Jane Hutt taking over the business and budget portfolio.
Social justice minister Brian Gibbons and finance minister Andrew Davies both stood down in the reshuffle.
Two new junior portfolios were also created, with Lesley Griffiths becoming deputy minister for skills, innovation and science, and Huw Lewis stepping into the role of deputy minister for children.
Jones won the contest to become Welsh Labour leader, overcoming challenges from Health Minister Edwina Hart and Huw Lewis AM to take over from Rhodri Morgan.
