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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Welsh Secretary David Jones attacks Wales' education record | Welsh Secretary David Jones attacks Wales' education record |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 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". | 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 has attacked 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 said 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 added. | "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 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". | 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". |
| During the conference Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith spoke about his party's welfare reform. | |
| "I have fought so hard to create and introduce Universal Credit, now running in England, Scotland and Wales - in Shotton from 7 April - and set to roll out further across the north west," he said. | |
| Universal Credit is replacing six benefits, including jobseeker's allowance, income support, child tax credit and housing benefit. | |
| He said the behavioural effect of the reform was "striking" and allowed more people to enter the workforce. | |
| "Across the UK, there are now a lower proportion of workless households than at any time on record, down 450,000 since 2010, and down 23,000 in Wales," Mr Duncan Smith said. | |
| Powers | Powers |
| 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. |