Anglesey, Pembrokeshire lifted out of special measures

Two councils have been taken out of special measures after making improvements in the way they run their education services.

Pembrokeshire and Anglesey Councils have made sufficient improvements, as judged by education watchdog Estyn.

Both authorities are seen to have plans in place which have delivered significant improvements.

It leaves four councils - Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Merthyr - still in special measures.

Inspectors found shortcomings in the leadership and culture in education in both counties in 2012.

It said that officials and senior councillors had been too slow to recognise key issues in safeguarding children.

It now means that four councils - Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Merthyr - remain in special measures.

Last week, the First Minister Carwyn Jones told BBC Wales he thinks some councils are incapable of improving education in their area.

He said with six local education authorities (LEAs) in special measures it is impossible to have faith in the delivery of education across Wales.

Mr Jones argued it gives further urgency to the need to cut the number of councils from the current 22.