Plaid Cymru's Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales has stated that The Welsh Labour Government appear more bothered in ‘appeasing party politics’ than seeking what’s best for Wales, when it comes to education.

Plaid Cymru will today (Wednesday, October 9) call on Labour to honour their commitments to increase funding to education, and to tackle the wider challenges facing the sector.

Labour pledged additional funding for education in their 2024 General Election manifesto – a promise they’ve failed to deliver, says Plaid Cymru.

A NAHT report has found that schools in Wales are facing a “harrowing funding crisis” - with a 6% cut in spending per pupil.

Under Labour, funding constraints facing the education sector have exacerbated the lowest PISA scores in the UK and a recruitment and retention crisis.

Plaid Cymru’s education spokesperson, and Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Cefin Campbell MS has said that the Labour Welsh Government is “tired and out of ideas” to fix the education system, evading accountability

Mr Campbell commented: “Under Labour, education standards have fallen, schools are struggling financially, targets to recruit secondary teachers have been missed for nearly a decade, and pupils are simply not learning the basics required for them to succeed.

“Yet instead of taking swift action to address these issues, Labour shy away from accountability and even fail to implement quick fixes to improve literacy levels.

“Despite the promise of two Labour governments working together for Wales’ benefit, the Welsh Labour Government appear more bothered in appeasing party politics and blaming local authorities for their failures than seeking what’s best for Wales. So far, they’re failing to deliver on their promises to increase funding to education.

Mr Campbell continued: “It’s clear that after 25 years in power, the Labour Welsh Government is tired and out of ideas when it comes to fixing the education system that they themselves broke.

“Plaid Cymru won’t ever shy away from standing up for Wales’ best interests and demanding a fair funding model to invest in children’s education.

“We’re clear that we need to get to grips with the recruitment and retention crisis in our schools by tackling workload pressures; to take immediate steps to update Welsh Government literacy guidance; and to simply fund schools properly through securing fair funding from Westminster. Wales needs a fresh start – and that’s what Plaid Cymru offers.”