Классификация проекта железнодорожной линии Оксфорд-Кембридж стоимостью 6,6 миллиарда фунтов стерлингов как инициативы «Англия и Уэльс» вызвала значительные споры.
Несмотря на полное отсутствие линии в Уэльсе, такая классификация лишает страну дополнительного финансирования.
Дэвид Чедвик, депутат от Либерально-демократической партии от Брекона, Раднора и Кум-Таве, описал ситуацию в эфире программы «Radio Wales Breakfast» как повторение скандала с HS2, вторя мнению бывшего министра транспорта Уэльса от Лейбористской партии Ли Уотерса, который призвал Вестминстер исправить систему.
Правительство Великобритании утверждает, что проект финансируется за счет «трубопровода модернизации железнодорожной сети», который, по его словам, также поддерживает валлийские проекты.
В свою очередь, министр транспорта правительства Уэльса подтвердил согласованный план работ с правительством Великобритании.
Чедвик утверждал, что Уэльс лишается потенциально преобразующего финансирования своей железнодорожной сети, которое составляет сотни миллионов фунтов. Он раскритиковал ожидания лейбористов, что Уэльс поверит в то, что этот проект принесет ему пользу, одновременно оправдывая отсутствие целевого валлийского финансирования для улучшения транспорта.
В отличие от Шотландии и Северной Ирландии, большая часть железнодорожной инфраструктуры Уэльса финансируется правительством Великобритании, а не министрами Кардиффа.
Формула Барнетта, используемая для финансирования децентрализованных наций, выделяет дополнительные средства Шотландии и Северной Ирландии при увеличении расходов на железные дороги в Англии и Уэльсе. Это контрастирует с ситуацией с HS2, классифицируемой как проект «Англия и Уэльс», что препятствует получению Уэльсом дополнительного финансирования, несмотря на то, что линия не простирается до Уэльса.
Оценки предполагаемого дефицита HS2 в Уэльсе сильно различаются: от 4 миллиардов фунтов стерлингов (Plaid Cymru и правительство Уэльса) до 350 миллионов фунтов стерлингов (недавние данные валлийских министерств).
В BlueSky бывший министр транспорта Уэльса от Лейбористской партии Ли Уотерс подчеркнул прошлую критику классификации HS2 министром железных дорог лордом Хенди, предшествующую его назначению в правительство.
В 2023 году Хенди отметил аномалию того, что Шотландия и Северная Ирландия получают дополнительные средства от расходов на HS2, в то время как Уэльс — нет. Уотерс раскритиковал отсутствие здравого смысла в формуле финансирования.
Он выразил осторожный оптимизм по поводу увеличения финансирования железных дорог за счет предстоящего обзора расходов, но подчеркнул необходимость системной реформы, чтобы предотвратить подобные случаи в будущем. Он отметил несоответствие: признание проблемы в оппозиции и неспособность решить ее в правительстве.
Железнодорожный профсоюз TSSA также призвал к переоценке, при этом генеральный секретарь Марям Эсламдуст заявила, что, поддерживая инвестиции в железные дороги, классификация проекта как «Англия и Уэльс» подрывает доверие и рискует лишить валлийские общины необходимого финансирования.
Лидер Plaid Cymru в Вестминстере Лиз Савилл Робертс назвала классификацию «абсурдной», подчеркнув отсутствие пользы для Уэльса и resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting resulting 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However, there are also some potential downsides. The emphasis on standardized testing can lead to a narrow curriculum that prioritizes test-taking skills over critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This can result in students being taught to the test, rather than to develop a true understanding of the subject matter. Furthermore, the pressure to achieve high scores can cause significant stress and anxiety for students, negatively impacting their overall well-being. Finally, standardized tests may not accurately reflect a student’s full range of abilities and learning styles, potentially leading to misidentification of potential and underestimation of capabilities.
The debate about standardized testing continues, with ongoing discussions about its effectiveness and potential negative consequences. While there are certainly benefits to standardized tests, educators and policymakers must consider and address their limitations to ensure that they are used appropriately and effectively in the educational process.