Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills has issued a statement on the Interim Report on the RAISE (Raising Attainment and Individual Standards in Education) programme.

The interim report, produced by the external evaluators the People in Work Unit, covers the first two academic years of the grant (2006-08). It reflects on the work undertaken by local authorities to address educational performance in Years 10 and 11 and the perceptions of those in the local authority who work closely with schools, social workers and placement panels in addressing the children's identified needs.

The full statement is available on the Welsh Assembly Government website.