The case against devolution? Wales’ declining education system
Devolution is great when it works. But where are the sanctions for poor outcomes like Wales' appalling education results, asks Paul Ormerod.
Wales' education system has been found to be in a poor state, raising concerns about the effectiveness of devolution. Devolution in Wales has led to greater control over income tax revenues for regional mayors, but there are concerns that local leaders could misuse these funds. Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Select Committee, insists on strong scrutiny structures to ensure regional funds are used appropriately.
However, recent PISA test results show that Wales' students are performing significantly below the average in maths and science, indicating almost two full years behind England. The Welsh government receives substantial funding from English taxpayers, with a fiscal deficit of over 20% of GDP. Despite Labour's defeat in the recent Senedd elections, the same issues persist in the devolved nations of Scotland and Wales.
Andy Burnham, a supporter of devolution, highlights the need for local authorities to bid for funds annually and the importance of multi-year settlements. He also calls for interim scrutiny by the center based on outcomes rather than the precise spending of funds. However, the absence of sanctions for poor outcomes means that English taxpayers continue to fund inefficient use of resources in Wales.
Written by urgent.news from City AM's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
