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Welsh Secretary David Jones to attack Wales' education record Welsh Secretary David Jones attacks Wales' education record
(about 2 hours later)
Welsh Secretary David Jones will accuse the Welsh government of letting down an entire generation of young people, due to a "continuing decline in the education system". Welsh Secretary David Jones has accused the Welsh government of letting down an entire generation of young people, due to a "continuing decline in the education system".
Mr Jones is expected to attack Labour's record on education at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen. Mr Jones has attacked Labour's record on education at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen.
It follows an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on the Welsh education system.It follows an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report on the Welsh education system.
The report praised "positive" learning conditions but found many weaknesses.The report praised "positive" learning conditions but found many weaknesses.
"Wales lacks a compelling and inclusive long-term education vision to steer the education system and its reform efforts," Mr Jones will say at the second day of the conference. "Wales lacks a compelling and inclusive long-term education vision to steer the education system and its reform efforts," Mr Jones said at the second day of the conference.
The most recent Pisa international education tests, which are run by the OECD, ranked Wales bottom in the UK.The most recent Pisa international education tests, which are run by the OECD, ranked Wales bottom in the UK.
The 2012 Pisa tests in science, maths and reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 68 countries.The 2012 Pisa tests in science, maths and reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 68 countries.
"The Pisa statistics published recently were, frankly, shocking," Mr Jones will add. "The Pisa statistics published recently were, frankly, shocking," Mr Jones added.
"They showed Wales to be the weakest of the home nations in maths, science and reading."They showed Wales to be the weakest of the home nations in maths, science and reading.
"On some measures, education in Wales is no better than in some of the eastern European nations emerging from decades of communism.""On some measures, education in Wales is no better than in some of the eastern European nations emerging from decades of communism."
Mr Jones will argue that good education is crucial in a wholly global economy and to compete in that market the young people of Wales needed an "excellent education". Mr Jones argued that good education is crucial in a wholly global economy and to compete in that market the young people of Wales needed an "excellent education".
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Later the leader of the Welsh Conservatives will affirm his party is "committed to cutting tax" when further powers are devolved to the Welsh government.Later the leader of the Welsh Conservatives will affirm his party is "committed to cutting tax" when further powers are devolved to the Welsh government.
Addressing members in Llangollen, Andrew RT Davies will set out plans to freeze council tax for every household in Wales and to scrap stamp duty on houses worth up to £250,000.Addressing members in Llangollen, Andrew RT Davies will set out plans to freeze council tax for every household in Wales and to scrap stamp duty on houses worth up to £250,000.
He will also announce his party will help 75,000 businesses to benefit annually from reduced business rates.He will also announce his party will help 75,000 businesses to benefit annually from reduced business rates.
Mr Davies will also call for a commitment to cut tax rates and calls for an early referendum to give the Welsh government powers to borrow money, and control some smaller taxes.Mr Davies will also call for a commitment to cut tax rates and calls for an early referendum to give the Welsh government powers to borrow money, and control some smaller taxes.
"We Conservatives believe in low taxation because it's good for the economy," Mr Davies will say."We Conservatives believe in low taxation because it's good for the economy," Mr Davies will say.
"And we believe in lower taxation in Wales, because it will give Wales a competitive edge," he will say. "It will stimulate enterprise.""And we believe in lower taxation in Wales, because it will give Wales a competitive edge," he will say. "It will stimulate enterprise."
Addressing the conference on Friday, David Cameron attacked the Welsh government's handling of the NHS.Addressing the conference on Friday, David Cameron attacked the Welsh government's handling of the NHS.
He said Wales was witnessing a "national scandal" as Offa's Dyke "has become the line between life and death".He said Wales was witnessing a "national scandal" as Offa's Dyke "has become the line between life and death".
UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also launched his strongest attack on the NHS in Wales, claiming it is "sleepwalking to a Mid Staffs tragedy".UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also launched his strongest attack on the NHS in Wales, claiming it is "sleepwalking to a Mid Staffs tragedy".
He criticised Wales' record on waiting times and ambulance targets.He criticised Wales' record on waiting times and ambulance targets.