The direction of travel in Wales and key decisions in relation to university tuition fees in general and student finance were announced in the Minister's statement. This response does not comment on those broad principles. However, there are some key questions in relation to which this response gives views on.

This Consultation is seeking views on the changes proposed to the Communities First programme. From April 2012, the Welsh Government’s Communities First programme will be a Community Focussed Programme that will support the Welsh Government’s Anti-Poverty agenda. In this document, we are proposing new structures for delivering the Communities First programme with a greater focus on evidencing the impact that locally funded activities have toward strategic outcomes.

The consultation provides details of the work currently under way to implement the new higher education funding and student finance model for Wales from 2012/13 onwards. In addition it explains how the Welsh Assembly Government intends to engage further with stakeholders and delivery partners in the implementation process

The Welsh Assembly Government has requested contributions to help them understand the demand for information and what  users consider to be important. This will help to inform thier priorities for the years ahead.  If there are particular issues/ concerns you would like to raise in response to this consultation please contact cerys.furlong@niacedc.org.uk

The Child Poverty Strategy sets out the Welsh Assembly Government's vision for tackling child poverty in Wales and improving outcomes for children and parents living in low income families. The Delivery Plan sets out the policy action the Assembly Government will deliver to achieve this vision.

NIACE Dysgu Cymru's Response to the Welsh Assembly Governments Paying for Care green Paper

Consultation on proposals for a fees policy for post-16 education and training (excluding Higher Education) and Sector Priorities Funding as set out in the Skills That Work for Wales strategy of July 2008. The consultation also proposes a number of related changes to student support, including options for the future of the Individual Learner Account (Wales) and changes to Education Maintenance Allowances.

NIACE Dysgu Cymru has written to Welsh Ministers and Deputy Ministers to suggest some ways in which the Welsh Assembly Government can find efficiencies by better exploiting the benefits of working across departments. 

This consultation forms part of a major programme of policy refresh for the Welsh Assembly Government Housing Department. Supporting People is the term used for housing-related support activities designed to enable people to live independently in their accommodation.

Sets out the Welsh Assembly Government's proposals for standards which will help to deliver high quality Apprenticeship programmes, that equip individuals with the skills they need for successful careers and employers with the skilled workforce needed to help them compete and to grow.

Financial Inclusion Strategy for Wales sets out the Welsh Assembly Government's vision, policy and plan to promote financial inclusion over the next three years. The Strategy identifies the work which needs to be undertaken by the Welsh Assembly Government and all relevant stakeholders working in collaboration, to address the problems associated with financial exclusion. The consultation closes on 4 May 2009.

NIACE Dysgu Cymru's response to the consultation on the Welsh Assembly Government's draft Welsh-medium Education Strategy.

The Community Cohesion Strategy is part of the 'One Wales' commitment by the Welsh Assembly Government to achieve a fair and just society. This consultation document is aimed at anyone working within communities and closes on 6 April 2009.

The Welsh Assembly Government is consulting on proposals to remodel the student finance system in Wales for full-time undergraduate students. It is looking at remodelling the student finance system; widening participation; tackling student debt; and investing in the higher education sector. The consultation closes on 16 February 2009.

NDC's response to Delivering Skills that Work for Wales Reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training in Wales

NIACE Dysgu Cymru's response to the consultation on the Welsh Assembly Government's new approach to Adult Community Learning

The Welsh Assembly Government is consulting on a new skills and employment strategy and action plan. The strategy and action plan include: new approaches to funding; a more demandresponsive skills and business support service; integrated skills and employment services delivered through partnership between the Assembly Government and Department of Work and Pensions; and the transformation of the learning network.

One Wales commits the Welsh Assembly Government to supporting those marginalised from society and to ensuring everyone can live free from poverty.  A range of specific commitments relevant to the financial inclusion agenda underpin this, including the co-ordination of advice services, providing extra help for pensioners with council tax, ensuring wider access to credit unions and introducing a top up to the Child Trust Fund for children in Wales. The Department for Social Justice and Regeneration has begun developing a Financial Inclusion Strategy for Wales. 

Empowering Active Citizens to contribute to Wales A response to the consultation NIACE Dysgu Cymru

The Review, chaired by Sir Adrian Webb, incorporates an analysis not just of Further Education Institutions, but an evaluation of the wider role of the sector in relation to post sixteen developments, 14-19 Learning Pathways, higher education, the Leitch review of skills, workplace and adult learning.  NIACE Dysgu Cymru's response to the review covers a number of key areas, through which we emphasise the importance of adults: demographic change, widening participation and social justice, community engagement and civic participation, and balancing the needs of the individual, society and the economy. In addition it calls for greater recognition of the diverse ways in which adults learn, and of the wider benefits of learning.