,<strong>deeply disappointed</strong> if Plaid didn't commit to the future of Flying Start

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates says the future of the Flying Start scheme 'has to be a red line' in negotiations with Plaid Cymru's Welsh government.

A Plaid Cymru government minister praised aspects of the scheme but did not say whether it would continue in its current form.

The Welsh government said support for disadvantaged children will be enhanced as it expands its free childcare policy.

Plaid Cymru is running the Welsh government without a majority of seats in the Senedd, meaning that it has to strike deals with other political parties in Cardiff Bay in order to pass budgets or new laws.

First launched in 2007, the Flying Start scheme was primarily designed to help children in the poorer areas of the country with their language, social and physical development before starting school.

It also includes 12. 5 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds, and is being expanded Wales-wide as part of the Welsh government's ultimate policy aim of providing free childcare 20 hours a week to all children between nine months and four years.

The Welsh Labour leader says he would be deeply disappointed if Plaid didn't commit to the future of Flying Start.

Asked if any change to Flying Start would rule his party out of supporting the budget, Skates replied: 'For us as a party, I think it has to be a red line. '

'If Plaid Cymru think they can take the best of Flying Start and apply it in different areas, I'm afraid they're going to let people down badly,' he said.

Steffan Evans, head of the Bevan Foundation, said: 'The majority of children living in poverty are not in Flying Start areas.'