07 May 2008
Four months before the roll out of the eagerly awaited Foundation Phase, the Welsh Assembly Government, has announced a further £5m in funding for the pilot settings. The Welsh Local Government Association welcomes Jane Hutt’s announcement on the foundation phase, and continues to support the principles of the initiative, but remains concerned about the massive under-funding.
The WLGA and ADEW have been in negotiations with the Assembly Government for the past 6 months and have consistently stated that £30 million is needed for 2008-09 to ensure a successful roll out. This figure was contained within the joint WAG – WLGA Expenditure Sub-Group Report and within the WLGA’s Alternative Budget for Frontline Services. Even with the announcement of an additional £5 million today there is still a shortfall of £10 million across Wales.
The Minister’s criticism of local authorities for failing to provide the necessary information is a smoke screen. The Assembly Government was already in possession of the information requested, and full costings were identified in the Expenditure-Sub Group in 2007. The reality is that there is just not enough funding to support the full implementation of the Foundation Phase in Wales.
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For more information contact: Natasha Weeks