THE Welsh Government has said it is 'very concerned' about education in Blaenau Gwent following the council's second damning Estyn report in two years.

Today the Argus revealed that despite Welsh Government-appointed commissioners being brought in to tackle problems in education, when the department was placed in special measures in 2011, nothing has changed and education is still "unsatisfactory".

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We are very concerned by Estyn's findings. Performance at the local authority continues to be unsatisfactory and disappointing.

"The Minister [Leighton Andrews] will make a statement to Assembly Members to outline the actions we will be taking with regard to Blaenau Gwent."

Mr Andrews will meet the Blaenau Gwent commissioner, one of four originally charged with improving standards at the authority, on Monday.