Janet:
According to the report recently published by Great School Libraries, only 67 per cent of schools in Wales have access to a designated school library space. Schools in England, however, are up to a third more likely to have a library. Now, the disparity indicates again the inequality of opportunity of pupil space in Wales compared to England. A lack of libraries is hitting our poorest children the hardest. Now, schools with a higher proportion of children eligible for free school meals are also more than twice as likely not to have a designated library space on site. So, we do have a long way to go, First Minister, to improve the situation in Wales because only 9 per cent of schools are thought to even have a library budget. So, will you work with school leaders and the library community and, indeed, your Minister to develop new investment in school libraries with the aim of balancing inequality of access and provision?
First Minister:
Llywydd, lack of food is hurting our poorest children hardest in Wales, and that includes the 50,000 additional children who will end this decade in poverty compared to when her Government came into power in 2010.
I'm sure my colleague the education Minister has heard what the Member has said about libraries, but this question began with children who go hungry in the holiday, and that's where I think my thoughts have been focused this afternoon.
