Some 14 councils have made "no progress whatsoever" on cutting class sizes, he said.

BBC: Class sizes prompt teacher debate

The First Minister told him that both councils were making progress on cutting class sizes in the first three years of primary school.

BBC: First minister's questions

Both he and the legislature have poured millions of dollars into buying more textbooks, improving teacher-training and cutting class sizes, in the early grades, from 30 or more to no more than 20.

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But when the Durham study looked at some of the most common ways schools are spending the money - educational trips, cutting class sizes, employing teaching assistants - it found little evidence they were likely to raise standards.

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At the last general election Labour made pledges on cutting primary school class sizes, introducing legislation for a Welsh Assembly in the first year, cutting NHS waiting lists by an extra 100, 000, getting 250, 000 under-25s off benefit and into work (around 13, 000 in Wales), and setting tough rules for government spending and borrowing.

BBC: Labour's pledge card for Wales

These companies fight to best each other in record-breaking "firsts, " involving extreme sizes and cutting-edge display technologies.

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Schools are also cutting costs by increasing class sizes and using more adjunct professors.

WSJ: Funding Cuts Lead to University Battles, Warning From Panel

President Obama proposed cutting that tax in half for companies of all sizes, but that depends on Congress.

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"We're real leaders" in cutting calories in the marketplace and offering smaller package sizes, said beverage association spokesman Chris Gindlesperger.

WSJ: Schools Pivotal in Obesity Fight, Report Finds