Schools: Music and Drama Access
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Wigley
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, in my generation, many schools in England recruited music teachers from Wales. Is the Minister aware that, between 2014 and last year, there was a drop of over 40% in the number of A-level pupils in Wales studying music, which now threatens the viability of some university music departments? Will she please liaise with her colleagues in the Department for Education and Senedd Cymru to try to seek urgent initiatives to avoid such a disastrous outcome?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I thank the noble Lord for his question. This is a devolved matter, but it is something that we work closely with the Senedd on. To reassure the noble Lord, there are challenges with recruiting music teachers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Last year, under the previous Government, we managed to meet only 21.8% of the recruitment target for arts teachers and music teachers. That is why this Government have announced an increase in teacher trainer incentives for 2025-26 and will be paying a £10,000 tax-free bursary to teachers who sign up to teach art. We look forward to engaging with our colleagues across all the nations to see how we can share best practice.
Council of the Nations and Regions
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Wigley
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for her support. The Deputy Prime Minister is fully committed to empowering mayors and combined authorities, and we are working with local leaders from across England to deliver the most ambitious programme of devolution that this country has ever seen. We want to see all partners collaborating regionally, which obviously includes Yorkshire and the Humber. Our upcoming English devolution White Paper will be published in due course and will set out details.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, one of the objectives of the council is to identify
“barriers that can be unblocked”.
Does the Minister accept the belief of the Welsh Government—which was raised by the First Minister of Wales, the noble Baroness, Lady Morgan of Ely—that the Barnett formula in its present form is a barrier to effective provision of public services in Wales? Will she confirm that the council has triggered an investigation into this matter? If not, why not?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
My Lords, the Council of the Nations and Regions is one vehicle where the Heads of Government meet, but we have regular conversations with all First Ministers, especially the First Minister of Wales. That is why we announced the largest-ever Budget settlement for Wales under devolution, including a £1.4 billion increase because of the Barnett formula. How it is spent is now a matter for the Welsh Government.
Wales
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Wigley
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
The Council of the Nations and Regions, as a manifesto commitment, is central to our engagement and resetting of relations across the United Kingdom. I am delighted that the Prime Minister, within hours of his appointment, reached out and spoke to the First Minister of Wales, visited within three days and has visited Wales three times. The Council of the Nations and Regions is at the heart of our engagement with our regions going forward.
Wales: Coal Tip Safety
Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Wigley
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I apologise for the confusion. The funding commitments are £44.5 million in the last three years from the Welsh Government and £25 million now from the British Government. The £500 million to £600 million the noble Baroness referred to is an aspirational number for future investment in remedial and regeneration works. It does not exist.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, if it transpires that, after the expenditure of the £25 million, and possibly £40 million, which the Minister said the Welsh Government were putting into the pot, a need is identified for substantially more urgent expenditure to guarantee safety, will more money be forthcoming?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
This is not a one-off conversation. We have regular conversations with the Welsh Government related to coal tip safety. This is an ongoing debate, and we have given this money because it is a national safety issue. We will continue to work with the Welsh Government to ensure that people in Wales are safe.