New body to be created to oversee further and higher education including research funding

Higher and further education research funding and skills will be overseen by a new body, following an independent review.

Education Secretary Kirsty Williams AM announced this afternoon that the Welsh Government has accepted the recommendations of the review carried out by Professor Ellen Hazelkorn, which was published in March last year.

• Read more: Report makes recommendations to improve education

The recommendations in the report included:

• creating a single regulatory, oversight and co-ordinating authority for higher and further education, which would have responsibility for funding provision including research

• establishing clear and flexible learning and career pathways

• ensuring there is equal value and support for vocational and academic pathways

• improving connections between qualifications and the labour market.

Ms Williams said she had given the proposals careful consideration and said Professor Hazelkorn's findings were based on what had been tried and tested in successful education systems.

A public consultation will be held in the spring.