Asked on BBC News whether he was disappointed by union opposition to the academy programme and whether he thought it would hold it back, Mr Gove said this was not the case.

BBC: One in 10 secondary schools is now an academy

The party's finance spokesperson Paul Davies AM asked Finance Minister Jane Hutt AM whether she was disappointed at the situation, given that last year's budget was also one for "jobs and growth".

BBC: Draft budget announcement

However, the prime minister's official spokesman would not be drawn on whether Mr Blair was disappointed by the decision.

BBC: NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Blair's local denied late licence