Plenary

Thank you, Llywydd. Of course, it's an honour to have been nominated by the First Minister for appointment as Counsel General for Wales. If the Senedd agrees with his recommendation, I pledge to maintain the standards expected of me by the ministerial code, and to undertake my duties, as required, looking at integrity, independence and respect for the rule of law. I commit to provide clear, robust and unbiased advice to the Welsh Government, and to work to strengthen the quality and credibility of Welsh law as we take the next significant step in our devolved history.

I therefore commit to work constructively with the Government, and with you, the Senedd, recognising the crucial role that the Senedd has in scrutinising Government, and ensuring transparency in the way legal decisions are made. I also pledge to carry out my duties fairly, by working hard, with a clear focus on insisting on the best for Wales always, and with the new energy steering the vision of this Government, for the benefit of the people of Wales. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Llywydd. I would like to ask for a further statement from the Deputy Minister for Transport regarding the closure of the Menai bridge over the half term and again this morning. I very much welcomed the statement that the Deputy Minister made over recess, and welcomed even more the firm steps taken by the Government to prevent, further, overly heavy vehicles from crossing the bridge.

It was a busy week in Bangor Conwy Môn, as we welcomed all of the visitors and competitors to the Urdd Eisteddfod, but thousands of local residents depend on the bridge year-round. Therefore, measures need to be taken to ensure that the bridge is always open.

The Deputy Minister will be aware that the previous Government had promised that the maintenance work would have been completed over a year ago, but that there have been several delays since then, and it's understandable, therefore, that there's a great deal of frustration felt locally.

I have every faith that the Plaid Cymru Government will be far more proactive in its response, not just to ensure that the current maintenance work is completed as soon as possible, but also that a long-term solution will be found to ensure that there are no barriers facing people as they travel between Ynys Môn and the mainland. A further statement on these steps would be very much appreciated by the residents of Bangor Conwy Môn.

Thank you for the question. As one who was on the island, and one who is originally from Anglesey, and I was there for the Urdd Eisteddfod, yes, there was frustration, but, clearly, for the people on the island who live with this on a daily basis, and the uncertainty that they face, it is an issue that needs resolution, and I'm sure that the Member will have heard the comments made by the First Minister earlier during First Minister's questions this afternoon.

People on Ynys Môn and across north Wales have been disappointed for far too long in terms of the resilience of the Menai crossings, and today proves once again why we need to find a solution. Whilst the previous Government had failed to see this issue as a priority, this Government will take action with more urgency and focus in order to try and respond to the situation.

I know that the Deputy Minister for Transport is looking at this issue as a matter of urgency, and he will be pleased to bring an oral statement to the Senedd next week.

There is nowhere to hide now, there are no more excuses, the Supreme Court has ruled, the guidance has been published and the law is crystal clear. Can the new Welsh Government please issue an urgent statement defining what a woman is for these purposes, and give us a definitive timeline on when policies and guidance will be changed to abide by the law, so that this Senedd can finally seek to protect women and girls across Wales? Diolch.

The Welsh Government respects the Supreme Court's judgment and is assessing the implication of the judgment and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's code of practice for devolved services and responsibilities in Wales. The judgment sets the current legal position, and work is under way to ensure devolved policy and practice remain compliant. The Welsh Government will continue to discharge its equality duties and expects all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect. We will support duty bearers to implement the law fairly, consistently and lawfully. But let me be absolutely clear from the outset: this Welsh Government remains steadfast in our commitment to inclusion. Trans people remain a valued part of our communities in Wales and continue to be protected in law from discrimination and harassment.

Trefnydd, can I ask for two statements? The first is from the Cabinet Minister for health and social care. On the back of the Audit Wales report into Aneurin Bevan health board's dealings with the eHarley partnership, I and the Torfaen MP made representations to Audit Wales. The report that they've published found that the health board did not conduct proper due diligence before letting multiple contracts to the eHarley partnership. But the report also says that Welsh Government guidance in this area has not been reviewed since 2006. So, I would like to ask for a statement from the Cabinet Minister setting out how the Government will respond.

I would also like to ask for a statement from the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education. I was really concerned to see in the list of responsibilities for his new post that, given the huge challenges that we face in tertiary education, the No. 1 item was reform of the Seren programme. Now, I am really proud of our Seren programme. It enables our young people to go to some of the very best universities across the UK, including in Wales, and I am sure that none of us would want to see a situation where the opportunities of our young people are limited. I would like to ask for a statement setting out the priority that this will be for the Government.

Thank you for those two questions. On the first point, you will be aware, as you mentioned, of the inquiry by Audit Wales. Certainly, Welsh Government officials are reviewing the findings and recommendations in full, and are updating national guidance to strengthen the required due diligence in order to ensure that arrangements continue to be robust, proportionate and consistent across Wales.

In terms of Seren, you will be aware that, in our first 100 days plan, the Welsh Government will look at options to reform the Seren Academy to focus more on tackling the participation gap, to support learners from our most deprived communities in Wales, as well as to better enable learners to make applications to higher education institutions in Wales. The Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education will make a written statement on this issue in due course.

Trefnydd, I'd be grateful if we could have a statement from the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy on the 182-day vacancy threshold policy for furnished holiday lets. Now, this policy is having a significant impact on the tourism industry across Wales. The latest annual owner survey conducted by the Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK indicated that the vacancy threshold remains the primary concern amongst operators. Now, while the Welsh Government has indicated that this policy is under review, tourism businesses in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and across Wales more broadly, require greater clarity on the timescales involved in reviewing this policy and when any decisions will be made regarding potential changes to the threshold to better support the industry. Therefore, I'd be grateful if we could have a statement from the Cabinet Minister at the start of this Senedd outlining the Welsh Government's plans for this policy area, so that the tourism industry can be clear about this policy and be clear that the Welsh Government will be taking action to address their concerns.

Thank you very much for that question. You'll be aware that this Government acknowledges the value of the tourism sector to Wales and that we are committed to look at this issue. The relevant Minister is in the Chamber—they will have heard your request today.

Good afternoon, Trefnydd—welcome to the role. Could I ask, please, for a statement from the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health on the urgent gaps in gambling harms here in Wales? Following the introduction of the gambling harms levy, £1.3 million in funding was awarded entirely to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. But since April, the newly funded service has been unable to meet the needs of all referred clients, leaving dedicated third sector organisations to pick up the pieces and self-fund treatments. Equally concerning is the continued delay by Public Health Wales in establishing prevention commissioning arrangements. With around two people every day in the United Kingdom dying by suicide linked to gambling harms, timely access to support truly can mean the difference between life and death. So, I wonder if you could take that back to the relevant Deputy Minister. And it is great, actually, to see all of the Cabinet and Deputy Ministers here listening to these questions. So, I do hope that we're able to get answers and responses to our statements. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Thank you very much for raising such an important issue. You are right that the relevant Ministers are all here and have heard that directly today. You will be aware of the fact that the First Minister has appointed a Deputy Minister who looks specifically at these areas of this Government's commitment to look at how we can ensure, across portfolios, that we can support people better. We do appreciate also the huge pressures on the third sector, which does invaluable and important work, but also how vulnerable many of those services are. And certainly, it's a fact that we have heard that clearly—thank you for raising it. I'm sure that the Ministers will want to be working with Members who have the same views that you've expressed today.

Trefnydd, there are particular challenges for the health and social care system in Ceredigion Penfro, where long distances mean that the centralisation of services away from Withybush and Bronglais hospitals has not worked for people or communities in mid and west Wales. Hywel Dda University Health Board is now consulting again on changes to the way stroke services are delivered, and there are concerns locally regarding the impact of these proposals. Could the Government consider, therefore, making a statement on equal access to health services in rural Wales? Diolch.

Thank you for the question and for expressing these concerns. There are a number, of course, who have drawn attention to these issues, and we understand, particularly in rural areas, where transport infrastructure is difficult, how concerning all of this can be. As you know, the health board has already made the decision on general urgent surgery, but the health board has not yet reached a final decision on stroke services. So, we would, as a Government, like to remind patients, families and stakeholders to participate in the public consultation that will run for eight weeks. This will provide an additional and important opportunity for stakeholders to review the proposals and to raise any concerns or to give further feedback. It is important that the concerns regarding the original proposals are recognised, and we need to see improvements in stroke services, particularly in rural areas.

As you will be aware, it is the health board that is responsible for planning and providing services to the local population, but in delivering this role, the Government expects the health board to hold thorough assessments for any proposed changes and to engage with the communities in accordance with national guidance. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care is in the Chamber—he will have heard your request today, and he will also be making his statement on priorities later today, so there's an opportunity to question further then.

Trefnydd, constituents in Kenfig have raised serious concerns about the condition of the afon Kenfig following sewage discharges. In fact, this is so serious that the river is devoid of life, and little progress seems to have been made in addressing this serious issue. In fact, some Members in this house have even addressed this today. So, could we have a statement from the Cabinet Secretary on what action Welsh Water is taking and how this Welsh Government will hold them to account?

Thank you for that question. I hope that you will have heard the First Minister's response earlier and all of the commitments that he made. Certainly, the relevant Cabinet Minister is here this afternoon. This is an issue that we take seriously. I hope you will have heard that clearly from the First Minister. Clearly, there will be an opportunity for you to engage further with the relevant Cabinet Minister.

Trefnydd, I'd like to welcome you to your new role.

Along with environmental campaigners, I was very concerned to hear the recent comments from the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability on slurry spreading. The regulations that are in place were brought in by the previous Welsh Government because of the very real threat of climate change and the failure of attempts to protect our waterways through voluntary measures. When so many of your Government's promises seem to be getting kicked into the long grass, it's really concerning that priority has been given to measures that can only damage our environment. So, please, could we have a statement from the Cabinet Minister giving the real detail on what this means and how water quality will be protected?

In addition, on the same matter, I do find it really disappointing that Senedd protocol was not followed and that this news was announced to the media before MSs had a chance to properly scrutinise it. The regulations that are in place were voted on by the previous Senedd, so it's only right that any changes should be considered here first. With that in mind, could I also request a statement from the Welsh Government on how it will ensure announcements are made here and subject to the appropriate scrutiny, going forward?

Thank you to the Member for those kind words at the beginning of that question.

Certainly, you will have heard the response of the First Minister earlier this afternoon on this topic. You'll be aware that there'll be an opportunity to ask questions of the relevant Cabinet Minister next week. But, let's be perfectly clear, in terms of everything that has been said about this area, this relates to the environment, in terms of ensuring that we follow the science. There was no announcement or firm decision made. The commitment made was to review. The Cabinet Minister will be giving an update, and we will be taking further questions and comments, of course, from all Members of this Chamber.

Trefnydd, can I ask for two statements, please, and the first in relation to school funding? I was heartened to see the comments last week that recognised the challenges that schools face across Wales by the new education Cabinet Minister, and I hope to be able to work with her to improve the quality of education for young people here in Wales. But it seems to me that one of the big challenges that many schools face is the annual struggle to make budgets meet. Obviously, there's quite a disparity between local authorities in terms of funding, and I wonder whether the new Welsh Government will consider the implications of a national school funding formula and whether that is something that could be pursued, instead of leaving it to local authorities to make those decisions, given the big disparity. So, a statement on school funding would be welcome.

Secondly, can I ask for clarity on the arrangements for notifying Members of this Senedd when ministerial visits take place in their constituencies? It was great to see the new Cabinet Minister for Health and Care taking the opportunity to visit Glan Clwyd Hospital, one of the worst-performing hospitals in the whole of the United Kingdom, in Bodelwyddan in my constituency of Clwyd, but I was very disappointed that no notification was received by me or other Members of the Senedd for Clwyd. I think that that is something that we need to resolve in the future, because it is a matter of courtesy for all Members.

Thank you very much. I'm sorry to hear that that happened. Certainly we will raise that. All Members should be aware of such visits, and thank you for making me aware of that. I did not know, and it is important that Members do tell me so that I can find solutions to these problems. We, of course, respect all Members in this Chamber.FootnoteLink

In terms of the initial point, I hope that you will have seen that the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language will bring forward a priorities statement soon. Clearly, funding is an important part of this. We do understand the difficulties faced by a number of schools. That has been well known through casework and all the communications that there have been from Members to this Government and the previous Government. So, certainly, there will be an opportunity to question the Cabinet Minister for education very soon on that issue.

I cannot tell you how proud I am standing to ask a question to a Plaid Cymru Minister for the first time, especially a Minister I respect—but I've always respected all Ministers. [Laughter.] That's my style. That's my style.

Trefnydd, can we have a statement from the Cabinet Minister for Finance on what support can be available to the businesses that could lose out following the decision to end greyhound racing in Wales at Ystrad Mynach? Most of the last Senedd Members, including me, voted to end this practice. I think it was the right decision, as times and public attitudes have shifted. But it's right, too, that we offer support and assistance to businesses that participated in supplying what was once a very popular sport in Wales, and any statement on how we can help mitigate these impacts would be welcome. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you very much to the Member for that question.

Flattery does not guarantee a business statement, so let me be clear at the outset in terms of that. [Laughter.]

In terms of the question, clearly we will respect the decision made by the last Senedd. The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Act 2026 provides a clear transition period from April of 2027 to 2030 to support the winding up of the industry in an orderly manner. This timetable was put in place to enable the businesses and communities affected to access targeted support as the changes come into force. Through the action group, the Government will be working closely with the industry to manage the impacts and to provide practical guidance.

Diolch, Lywydd. Trefnydd, as it's Volunteers Week, I'd like to ask for a statement on support for the voluntary sector. There are over 46,000 voluntary organisations in Wales, with one third of the adult population volunteering. And we also know that many young people choose to give up their time to help others. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action have calculated that, last year, voluntary organisations saved the public sector around £1.4 billion, and their total contribution to Wales in 2025 was estimated to be at least £9.1 billion. The Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations, GAVO, is the largest county voluntary council in Wales, and it's fast approaching 100 years of supporting volunteers in Newport and Islwyn and wider Gwent. As a Co-operative Party member, I was very glad that Welsh Labour pledged to double the number of co-operatives and community-owned businesses, safeguard funding for community cohesion workers, and expand the system of volunteering credits. So, I'd like a statement on how the current Welsh Government plans to support volunteers and voluntary organisations, who are the bedrock of our communities all year round.

Well, may I thank the Member for raising an issue of great importance? Volunteers, of course, play such a crucial role and a key role, and you will have heard many of us who are now in the Cabinet when we were opposition Members expressing concerns about the lack of support for these organisations and how vulnerable many services were because of the need for volunteers, but also because of how difficult it is for volunteers to continue in these crucial roles.

The relevant Minister will have heard your call. I know that she is eager to have an opportunity to make a statement on this, but, certainly, I can tell you unambiguously, and all Members here, that we do appreciate this sector very much, that we thank every volunteer for the tireless work that they do in our communities every day, and, certainly, you will see that commitment to support them from this Government.

We will do this by implementing an ambitious national programme to expand surgical and diagnostic hubs across Wales to reduce waiting times, improve access and increase capacity. My officials are already in the process of convening the expert independent group who will be responsible for developing the delivery plan for 10 such hubs over the next four years, and I look forward to regularly updating the Senedd on its progress.

We're also finalising a new approach to planned care over the next 18 months, clinically led, nationally directed, and with a clear emphasis on service modernisation. Through these measures, we will see two-year waits eliminated within a matter of months and the overall backlog reduced to pre-pandemic levels before the end of this Senedd term. But this isn’t just a case of addressing the immediate pressures of long waits, as urgent as they are; it’s putting the foundations in place so that we’re never in this position again and to ensure that the NHS can sustainably manage demand. That's why our plan for surgical hubs is predicated on reinforcing local capacity and expertise first and foremost, creating centres of excellence for long-neglected specialisms such as ophthalmology, and providing vital training opportunities for medical graduates.

No more will the Welsh Government chase short-term sticking-plaster solutions at the expense of long-term planning, strategic coherence and prudent, targeted investment. This will be complemented by long-overdue reforms in both primary and social care. It's abundantly clear that, from a structural perspective, the health and social care landscape reflects the needs of yesterday, rather than those of today and tomorrow, and the implications of the chronic neglect of primary care and social care are plain for all to see: A&E has become an extension of the GP surgery, while hospital beds have become long-term homes for far too many people whose needs could be better and more holistically served in the comfort of the community. That's why we will expand access to out-of-hours primary care to ease pressure on hospitals, underpinned by our commitment to recruit up to 100 new salaried GPs. Work is already under way, with our partners, to scope a detailed review of funding for general practice to develop options that are balanced, transparent and evidence based.

We're proud to have been the party that initiated the programme to establish a fully integrated national care service for Wales, and, in Government, we will make further purposeful strides in this direction so that wherever people live in Wales they can expect the same high standard of care and support. We will also expand community care, strengthen discharge planning and work in partnership with local government and carers to build a system that truly wraps around the individual, because, for too long, the system has been centred on hospital care. We are shifting focus so that people spend less time in hospital and more time living well, independently in their own homes and communities.

This whole-system transformation must go hand in hand with fundamental reforms to the governance architecture of the NHS. Governance might not be the most eye-catching policy area, but it is essential to unlocking improvements in performance, accountability and collaboration. To this end, we'll strengthen the role of the regional partnership boards to support closer working between health boards, local authorities and key partners, bringing people together to solve problems, with a clear focus on whether it is making a difference for those we serve.

In far too many areas, the NHS remains an analogue institution in a digital age. I'm determined to change this through our 10-year digital and data strategy, to ensure that our health system has the infrastructure and the skills to be at the cutting edge of innovation. A 'once for Wales' approach to digital, data and artificial intelligence and modern infrastructure will help the system work as one, cut duplication, boost productivity and direct more resource to front-line care.

The staff who work with dedication and commitment to deliver high-quality care are the lifeblood of the NHS in Wales. We must empower and support them, with the right people in the right teams and places, and leadership that creates a culture where staff feel valued, safe and able to deliver. I've been clear that we need a long-term workforce strategy for NHS Wales, and, in the autumn, I'll publish this strategy. Working in partnership, we will develop and set out a strategic framework, with clear short-, medium- and long-term commitments, tangible actions and annual review of progress and priorities. This agile framework will mean we can proactively plan and develop our workforce to support our key priorities, such as reducing waiting times and a focus on cancer.

I'm also keenly aware of the difficulties faced by graduates in securing employment, including most recently amongst nursing, midwifery and paramedic cohorts. Wales fares poorly when it comes to retaining the wealth of talent we nurture here, and I'm determined to change this. I will be bringing partners together shortly to consider both immediate actions to support this year’s graduates and what more can be done to avoid similar problems in the future.

But we can't spend all our time firefighting. We must also take bold action on population health and inequality if we are to create a health and care system fit for the future.

Llywydd, the health and well-being of our population and the future of the NHS depend on preventing avoidable ill health and delivering care earlier, in the right place at the right time. I will bring together system leaders, local authorities and clinicians to drive that shift and to transform how services are planned, commissioned and delivered across Wales.

There must be a focus on prevention, demonstrated by the appointment of the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health. We will act across Cabinet and with partners to tackle the wider determinants of poor health, to reduce inequalities and to improve health outcomes, including tackling child poverty, healthy eating, physical activity, housing and employment. We will move away from managing sickness to ensuring that people have the means to lead healthier and happier lives. And on my watch, I won’t measure success on the basis of the number of people in hospital, but rather by the number who didn’t have to go there in the first place.

Finally, we must also be alive to the very real threats to the status of the NHS as a publicly owned institution that is free at the point of need. I'm a passionate believer that the NHS belongs to the people of Wales, today and forever, and I pledge to defend it with every fibre of my being against the unaccountable billionaires and their political pawns who would seek to profit from our most precious national asset.

Llywydd, what I have set out today are the first steps along a long-term path of renewal. I'm under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge, and I won’t promise that the benefits of our agenda will manifest immediately, because I'm not here to indulge in quick fixes and easy answers, and nor should anyone who truly has the best interests of the NHS at heart. But, through our laser focus on the ultimate destination, I'm confident that, by the end of this Senedd term, we'll have started to write a bright new chapter in the history of our health and social care system. With urgency, decisive action and ambition, we will protect the NHS and build a healthier, fairer Wales with a health and care system that puts people first and delivers the change our nation needs. Thank you.

Can I thank the Cabinet Minister for his statement today and welcome him to his new role? I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our NHS staff and health and social care staff across Wales.

Health and care is one of the greatest responsibilities any Minister can hold, because behind every statistic is a person, a family, and often someone who has waited far too long. You have said, Cabinet Minister, that the system is beset by crisis. You’ve said patients and staff are being failed. You’ve said emergency departments are buckling. You’ve said corridor care is becoming normalised. You’ve said cancer is lagging behind. You’ve said the workforce is stressed and financial pressures are acute. On that assessment, Cabinet Minister, you are right. But here is the problem: you cannot diagnose a crisis and then prescribe another strategy. The people of Wales do not need another speech about renewal. They need treatment; they need appointments; they need operations; they need an ambulance to arrive on time, and they need to see a GP. The Welsh NHS doesn’t need any more slogans; it needs delivery.

You talked about the spirit of Bevan. Well, Bevan did not build the NHS with a press release or something swanky on social media. He delivered it. And now that is the real test for you. And there are areas where we can agree. We support a health service free at the point of delivery. We support better prevention. We support GP services, faster cancer diagnosis, improved dementia support, proper support for unpaid carers, and a social care system that treats care workers with the respect that they deserve. But warm words will not be enough: Wales has had plans after plans, target after target and promise after promise, and what patients need now is a Government prepared to be judged on results.

On waiting lists, you said the immediate priority is to tackle the backlog. You promised that two-year waits will be eliminated within a matter of months and the overall backlog will be reduced to pre-pandemic levels before the end of this Senedd term. So, let us have a straight answer today: how many months? Three, six, nine? Because 'within months' might sound good in a press release, but it means very little to someone who’s waiting in pain at home for their operation.

On surgical and diagnostic hubs, I welcome the principle—high-volume elective care hubs can make a real difference in areas such as orthopaedics, ophthalmology and general surgery. But you said an expert group is being convened to develop a delivery plan for 10 hubs across four years. So, where will they be? Where will each one open? Who will staff them? And how will rural patients be able to access them? Because a hub without staff is just a sign on the door. Wales has had enough of announcements that sound big on the day and then disappear into a system never to appear again.

On primary and GP care, Cabinet Minister, I want to put this to you directly, because I’ve sat with you in this Chamber, I’ve sat with you in committee, and I have heard you, time and time again, call for more support and more funding for primary care. You also backed the Health and Social Care Committee’s report in the previous Senedd on GP practices in Wales. Now you’re no longer asking the questions; you are the person who has to answer them. So, will you implement those recommendations in full: yes or no?

On social care, you are right: too many people are stuck in hospital beds because care is not available in the community. That is bad for patients, bad for families and bad for the NHS. But a national care service must not become another expensive layer of bureaucracy. So, will you guarantee today that money will go to front-line care, not more boards, not more structures and not more administration in Cathays Park?

On unpaid carers, Wales does rely on these every single day. They save our public purse billions of pounds. They feel invisible, exhausted and unsupported. And timely carers’ needs assessments are welcome, but they must lead to real support—respite, practical advice and emergency help when families need it—and we need that now, not months down the line.

On cancer, you admitted Wales is lagging behind. That is a serious admission, and I agree with you: Wales does need a cancer action plan. So, I ask you: when will it be published? Is it going to include proper targets for diagnosis, for treatment, for outcomes? Let’s have the answer.

On workforce, you said a long-term strategy will come in the autumn. Cabinet Minister, autumn is becoming this Welsh Government’s waiting room, isn’t it? Because everything you want to seem to be doing is going to be done in the autumn. We have staff pressures now; we have graduates worried about jobs, we have vacancies, now. What immediate action are you going to take before the autumn, because time is ticking?

And on prevention, I agree with you. We cannot keep treating in a system that actually waits for people to become seriously ill before acting. Sport, physical activity, reducing obesity and making sure people stay healthy are very important. So, can you outline, Cabinet Secretary—no that's the previous name; Cabinet Minister—how you're going to make sure money flows? I'll come to the end now, Presiding Officer; I can see you looking at me.

Cabinet Minister, you have the biggest job in Government. You have made big promises to the people of Wales, and I'll just tell you that we will be watching; the people of Wales will be watching. You asked for power; now it is your time to deliver. Diolch.

Thank you, James, for those comments. I'd like to thank the opposition Member for raising some of the issues that he has. The Member was quite right in stating that we need to ensure that we thank the NHS and care staff in Wales—absolutely. They are working hard out there in very difficult circumstances, and I also extend my gratitude for all the work that they are doing. The Member said that he agreed with my assessment. If only he could agree with the diagnosis and the ideas that I have put forward as well. He did when he shared the committee with me, so I look forward to co-operating with the Member over the next few years in delivering these.

When the Member says that it's not time for any more slogans, we need delivery, that's exactly a slogan in itself. But he says that the party that he's a member of supports an NHS free at the point of delivery. I welcome hearing that, but that's not what the leader of his party says in London. The leader of his party constantly refers to—[Interruption.]—constantly refers to the NHS not being paid out of taxation. How does he propose to pay for the NHS in Wales? I don't know. That's why we are committed to making sure that the NHS will be free at the point of delivery and owned by the people of Wales while Plaid Cymru is in Government.

The Member spoke about the backlog that we have in the waiting times, and I referenced that in my opening speech, and, absolutely, this is about delivery. That's why we've spoken about delivering elective care hubs across Wales, making sure that we can get those people seen quicker, the high-volume treatments done, and people can go home on the same day. We know that there's a lack of efficiency and productivity in the NHS in Wales. That's why we will ensure that theatre space and theatre time is utilised to its maximum.

The Member also referred to primary care and the fact that—. He says that he didn't have any idea about what we were proposing. Again, I mentioned that in my speech. We've already started a process, as part of our 100-day delivery, of identifying how we can shift resources from secondary care to primary care. We've already started looking at employing the 100 GPs that we spoke about.

The Member also spoke about care assessments. Plaid Cymru has a proud record of making sure, when we came to an agreement on the last budget with the previous Welsh Government, that we would ensure that local authorities were funded so that we could deliver on those promises.

Then the Member talks about cancer. I had a meeting yesterday with the chief nursing officer and the chief medical officer to start the delivery of a cancer plan in Wales.

Finally, the Member spoke about the need for a workforce plan. We've been waiting 15 years. We've already started that work, and I will deliver a high-level workforce plan in the autumn.

So, that responds to all of the points that the Member raised. That was the challenge. We're already answering them. I look forward to his co-operation in delivering them.

I'd like to thank the Minister as well for his statement, and, on behalf of Welsh Labour, I'd like to thank the incredible health and care workforce across Wales. For complete transparency, Llywydd, can I declare that my oldest brother works for Novo Nordisk?

NHS waiting lists have now fallen for 10 consecutive months, thanks to the incredible work of NHS staff and the previous Welsh Labour Government's £120 million of investment. There is still more to do, and it is now for Plaid Cymru to ensure that progress doesn't falter.

Whilst I appreciate the Minister's statement, there do remain some significant questions about various areas of service that remain to be answered. In opposition—. This is a question that has been asked twice now, I shall ask it for a third time. In opposition, you pledged to eradicate two-year waits within months. Minister, by when will two-year waits be completely eliminated in Wales?

And the Minister will be aware of the current industrial dispute affecting specialist nurses in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area. Minister, will you intervene to ensure that the health board respects the job evaluation process? And by when can you commit to have the issue resolved?

Back in November 2024, when you were in opposition, you promoted 29 recommendations in a document entitled, 'The Welsh Health System: Accountability, Performance and Culture'. I see very few of your recommendations reflected in the statement of priorities today. And amongst them was a recommendation to establish pay parity between social care workers and NHS staff. So, do you still stand by all 29 recommendations? And by when can social care workers expect pay parity?

You previously said,

'We won't be able to afford new hospitals of the size of the University Hospital of Wales, clearly, because the UK Government don't provide the capital funds for things like that.'

Funding for capital projects like this doesn't rely on direct UK Government funding. Welsh Government chooses what to spend its record levels of capital funding on, and we in Welsh Labour planned to spend £4 billion on rebuilding hospitals, including the University Hospital of Wales and Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Minister, will you rebuild UHW and Wrexham Maelor Hospital? And how much of the Welsh Government's circa £4 billion of annual capital funding will be spent on our hospitals, not just on hubs?

And finally, can you guarantee, under this Plaid minority Government, that you will not reduce investment in primary, secondary or social care? Diolch.

Thank you to the Member for those points that he raised. Now, the Member referenced waiting lists. His previous Government didn't have the proudest record in tackling the waiting lists, and that's why we are having to take radical action in making sure that waiting lists are decreased now. We've spoken about establishing 10 elective care hubs across Wales. That is what we will do. We've spoken about ensuring that we have a validation process, that those people on a waiting list should be on a waiting list, and those who don't are seen in the appropriate place, making sure that people are seen sooner and with the care that they need. That's why we know that the plan that we have, and we are confident that what we are putting forward will make sure that those two-year waits will be eradicated in a matter of months.

The Member spoke about health visitors in Cwm Taf. Well, I met with the chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board's board a couple of weeks ago. I've also spoken, previously, to Unite officials, and I'm clear that both parties need to work together, in social partnership, in order to find common ground and resolve this as soon as possible, because the work of health visitors is absolutely essential. When we talk about the preventative agenda, we know that they carry out crucial work in making sure that people are seen earlier and things don't escalate.

And the Member refers to the document that I published a couple of years ago now, on governance. I'm glad that he read the document, and it's a good document for others who might want to read it—[Interruption.]—even if I say so myself, absolutely. And in that, yes, absolutely, we talk about pay parity, and that's why, once again, I refer to the proud record that Plaid Cymru has of starting the process of merging health and social care, and that's what we will be completing as a Plaid Cymru Government. At the moment, my colleague Delyth Jewell will be looking at that and ensuring that that is delivered, and that we can see the fruits of that under a Plaid Cymru Government.

Finally, the Member spoke about £4 billion for capital builds, for hospitals, which was proposed by the Labour Party. The Member forgets that we are now in Government and we see those figures too, and that was completely unrealistic, those proposals put forward by the Labour Party at the time. We have a backlog worth £1.5 billion in hospitals across Wales, including Glangwili, including Glan Clwyd, including Bronglais, across the whole of Wales, that needs to be looked at. So, we will be prioritising those backlogs, making sure that everybody across Wales gets parity of care.

Firstly, I'd like to congratulate the Cabinet Minister on his new role and thank him for this afternoon's statement. Cabinet Secretary, I really hope that we can work constructively together over the course of this Senedd term to help deliver the improvements our health service needs and our constituents rightfully deserve. It's no secret to anyone in this Chamber and beyond that our health service is in a perilous state, and whilst most of the blame can be laid at the previous Labour Government's door, there's no getting away from the fact that Plaid Cymru are equally culpable for the damage they have caused, supporting Labour time and time again over the previous Senedd terms.

Plaid Cymru has a real opportunity to make up for the past errors now that they are in Government, but where is the immediate action, Cabinet Minister? NHS waiting lists remain shamefully high, with patients in all four corners of Wales languishing in pain, yet detail on how to tackle it remains very vague. Cabinet Minister, you have vowed to eliminate two-year waits within a matter of months—and I hope for the sake of residents that you are indeed successful—but how exactly are you going to achieve this, because we cannot afford for this to be another broken promise?

Improving access to care where needed is paramount. In Newport and Islwyn, there are growing calls for an A&E department at the Royal Gwent Hospital to be reopened, something I raised with the First Minister directly myself earlier today, and I'm now going to try my luck with you. The Grange hospital is under immense pressure, and by reopening an A&E department at the Royal Gwent, my constituents could access care closer to home, and this would hopefully ease some of the burden at the Grange. Based on the information from the health board itself, it will roughly cost around about £10 million to bring back the unit in the Royal Gwent—not a great deal in the grand scheme of things. Cabinet Minister, will you and your officials engage with Aneurin Bevan health board to look into potentially reopening the A&E department at the Royal Gwent, as it is something that my constituents are desperately crying out for? I'd also really appreciate, Cabinet Minister, if you could shed a bit more light on how the Government is going to alleviate the pressure on other A&E departments and free up capacity in hospital wards across Wales.

Cabinet Minister, I want to raise the UK National Screening Committee's decision not to recommend a national prostate screening programme. This is incredibly disappointing, as we know the earlier cancer is caught, the better, and given that prostate cancer doesn't often present with symptoms, testing is indeed key. I hope my colleague Paul Davies MS doesn't mind, but I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the great work that he's done—and continues to do—in raising awareness and campaigning for improvements in this area. So, Cabinet Minister, will the Welsh Government commit to introducing routine prostate cancer screening for men here in Wales?

I am slightly surprised that there was no mention of dentistry whatsoever in this afternoon's statement, especially given the major challenges many residents face in accessing a dentist. Cabinet Minister, I would also appreciate a brief overview on what steps you are going to be taking in this area, and what we can expect to see in action going forward.

Maintenance in NHS buildings in Wales is also missing from this afternoon's statement. The bill for repairing buildings at high or significant risk stands at nearly £1 billion, so I would be grateful if the Cabinet Minister would outline what action will be taken in this area by this Government.

I welcome the focus on technology. It's a key area for health services that need to be fit for a twenty-first century remit. Can I get a commitment from the Cabinet Minister that this improvement in technology will also see an uptake in data collection across the board in as many areas as has been, because it's been significantly lacking over many years?

Recently, there have been some rather concerning revelations about the Welsh Gender Service, which I have written to you about, but it would be remiss of me not to raise this with you here this afternoon. The service is referring between three and four times the number of people for irreversible gender surgeries than the UK average. Not only that, but it does not collect information on the number of patients it recommends for cross-sex hormones. Given these red flags at the gender service, will the Welsh Government launch an independent review into its practices and leadership?

Cabinet Minister, as the South Wales Argus reported on their front page this weekend, there has been a great deal of concern around Aneurin Bevan health board awarding £10 million-worth of GP contracts to eHarley Street without proper due diligence checks being carried out. I know this was touched upon before with the First Minister, however, Audit Wales's probe into this matter is damning and raises serious concerns about governance, accountability and financial oversight within the health board itself, with patients and staff left facing disruption and uncertainty as a result of poor scrutiny before contracts were indeed awarded. I have said before, and I shall say it again: the Welsh Government must now establish whether there have been similar incidents in other health boards within the Welsh NHS, and ensure robust safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening again. To that end, Cabinet Minister, for sincere transparency, will you hold a Wales-wide investigation into health board contracts?

There is plenty more that I could delve into today, Cabinet Minister, but I will leave it there for now and just reiterate that I really do hope we can work constructively going forward in this Senedd term. Thank you.

Thank you to the Member for those points raised. The Member started by accusing Plaid Cymru of being, what she said, 'equally culpable', in the demise of the health service. Now, this is our first time leading Government, may I just remind you, but your party also proposed to support the budget of the previous Government. We managed to secure extra funding for the NHS in the previous Government, putting money where our mouth is.

The Member also asked about details on the action plan, which I have already set out in my previous statement earlier today. And that 100 days plan has spoken about how we're going to start with looking at the validation of the waiting lists, the elective care hubs that we're going to develop, the investment in primary care and improved diagnostics—all of that I've already set out.

The Member also, twice there, asked about engagement with Aneurin Bevan health board. I and my officials have regular engagement with Aneurin Bevan health board, and I am happy to raise issues that the Member might want to do so at those discussions. If she writes to me, then I'll be more than happy to do that.

Regarding the screening of prostate cancer, that's an interesting development that we've seen, absolutely, and we will carefully look at and consider the evidence put forward by the UK National Screening Committee, because as we've heard several times in discussions this afternoon, we have to follow the science. We have to make sure that we follow what is best for the patients and that we have the best outcomes, because we, as a Government, are outcome led. We want to improve outcomes for the people of Wales.

And on dentistry, the Member will know full well that it was Siân Gwenllian, on the front bench here, that put forward the plan to develop a dentistry school here in Wales for north Wales, working jointly with others, and that's what we will start to do. We're starting that process to look at how best to ensure that school delivers dentists as soon as possible. And then issues were raised about maintenance, which I've touched on in previous responses, and efficiency, which I've also touched on in previous responses, so I won't repeat those.

So, finally—I'm testing the patience of the Llywydd, I know—data and digital are key. The Member realised that digital is key, but we're also pushing forward with data, so that we have consistency of data gathering across Wales, and that's part of the programme as well.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd, and good afternoon, Cabinet Minister. Welcome to your new role. I just wanted to ask about social care. I know you and I have both raised this issue in the previous Senedd. We know that, right now, 1,275 people are stuck in hospital beds unnecessarily. They are waiting for social care, either for delivery of the services or for assessments. These people, the ones deteriorating in wards when they should be at home, are the ones that need urgent results. We know that the Welsh Local Government Association has projected a social care funding gap of over £200 million this year alone, yet the previous budget provided only £180 million across both health and social care. In November, your good self described social care as the most underfunded and overlooked pillar of Welsh healthcare, and you were absolutely right. So, could you please outline exactly what your response is to those people stuck in hospitals right now? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Yes, thank you to the Member for the points that she has raised, and she's absolutely right that social care is crucial. If we are going to resolve the issues facing our health service, we need to resolve the issues facing social care, but the issues facing those who are being delayed from discharge, those who can't get a care package, are more than just the social care, they're also in primary care. It's the whole-system approach, which is what we're looking at here, ensuring that we invest, yes, in primary care, making sure that people don't clog up the system on that front end, and then making sure that people can be discharged safely, so that there's care in the community. And that's what the plans we've put forward look at, ensuring that that care is in the community, closer to home, so that people are seen closer to their home.

And finally, just to touch on something I mentioned earlier, that's part of the reason why we want to ensure that we merge that health and social care, so that we make sure that there are no gaps in that system, that people are working together, organisations talk with each other. That's also why we've proposed—and I put forward the idea earlier—ensuring that regional partnership boards work effectively, so that local authorities and health boards do talk to each other and that people don't slip between those gaps. So, absolutely, the Member is right in pointing out the importance of this.

My final point is that we will also instruct Llais to appoint a social care champion. I will be working with my Deputy Minister to make sure that happens, and that champion will be meeting regularly with the Deputy Minister to bring forward any issues.

We know that NHS waiting lists in Wales under Labour have been far too big and far too long, with the latest figures showing that a little over 666,000 patients are still waiting for their treatment to start. Of those, almost 25 per cent are now waiting over 36 weeks.

In my experience as an ophthalmologist, too many people are waiting far too long for treatment for conditions like macular degeneration, and are becoming blind as a result. It's clear that we need fundamental change to the way that the NHS operates, and I'm pleased that the new Plaid Cymru Government will not continue with business as usual.

So, Cabinet Minister, will you outline what further steps will be taken to decrease waiting lists, and how will the Government ensure sustainable improvement, rather than depending on short-term measures like outsourcing to private corporations? Thank you.

I thank the Member for his question, and I'd like to thank him for his previous work within the NHS. I'm very proud to have him as a member of the group so that he can advise us on many health-related issues.

The Member is right to highlight the particular pressures faced by ophthalmology, for example. It has been neglected particularly by the previous Government, something that was strongly highlighted by the report from the health committee that I was a part of.

But to respond to the Member's specific question, we have an ambitious programme to establish surgical hubs across Wales, as I've mentioned, in order to deal with the pressures on waiting times, which are far too great. I visited such a centre in Neath Port Talbot recently in order to see the real impact on patients.

But it's also important to emphasise that it's not just a case of dealing with the pressures that currently exist; it's also a way of incorporating the requirements of elective care more sustainably into regular NHS activity in the long term, and to ensure that we're never again in the situation that we have been in.

Our elective care plans, therefore, supported by an independent review of NHS performance, will drive that progress. In this regard, we won't have to just rely on buying external capacity at the expense of strategic investment in strengthening local services; we will be investing in our capacity in the NHS in Wales.

Welcome. No, 'congratulations' I should say, actually, not 'welcome'. You just mentioned ophthalmology. Before the election, funding had been identified to tackle the growing cataract surgery waiting list, but progress was reportedly put on hold during the election period. Now that the election is over, will the Welsh Government commit to delivering that funding in full, and can the health Minister provide a clear timetable for when patients waiting for cataract surgery will see the benefits of this investment? Thank you.

I thank the Member for that. The point that she raises is particularly important. As I said, I was part of the report of the health and care committee that looked into ophthalmology, and I'm aware of the deficiencies that we have in that regard. That's why we, as part of the process of reducing waiting lists, have talked about these hubs. An element of these hubs will be looking at the high-volume needs that we have, with cataracts amongst them, to make sure that people who are suffering are seen sooner and can go in for treatment and can be released on the same day. As well as that, we'll be looking to ensure that a national strategy for ophthalmology is delivered to ensure that people aren't suffering more than necessary.

I welcome the Cabinet Minister to his role. One in three deaths in Gwent between 2018 and 2022 happened prematurely and some of those were preventable. The three main causes were cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. In my constituency, both County in the Community and Dragons Rugby Football Club work extensively with people of all ages, and both men and women. Newport County's Fit Fans programme is a great example of sport taking a leading role in preventative health for both men and women. Grass-roots sports clubs play a leading role as well, and their impact is far-reaching. Sport helps to tackle obesity and prevent other physical and mental health conditions, whilst also tackling loneliness and social isolation. I was surprised that there was no mention of mental health, and also surprised there was no mention of women's health, in the Minister's statement today. But Plaid Cymru's manifesto included a commitment to investing in sports and physical activity as part of the preventative health agenda. Can the Minister tell us how much that investment will be and where the money will come from?

Thank you for the points raised. If I can go straight to the point around mental health and women's health, that's why the First Minister has appointed a Deputy Minister with those points exactly in her title. She will be looking with a laser-like focus on ensuring that we develop the mental health projects that we need, and working on the good practice developed by the previous Government with the women's health plan and improving that even further and strengthening it. I'm looking forward to working with Delyth Jewell on those programmes.

When it comes to sport and the preventative agenda, again, the First Minister has made a point of appointing a Deputy Minister with the preventative agenda in mind, making sure that the preventative agenda is at the top of what we do and what we look at. That's why Nerys Evans will be working with Heledd Fychan and with others across the front table here in ensuring that we look collectively in Government at how we can ensure that that preventative agenda is embedded in everything that we do. We know that the greatest social determinant of ill health is poverty. That's why Nerys will be working with Adam Price. We know that housing is an issue. That's why Nerys Evans will be working with Siân Gwenllian. We know that health illiteracy is a problem. That's why she'll be working with Anna Brychan. You see the pattern. The preventative agenda is absolutely crucial.

Cabinet Minister, you've suggested that there's too much of a focus on hospital care in your statement today, and you seem to be hinting that you think that there are too many hospital beds. Can you tell us whether that is your view or not, and whether you will guarantee to the people of Wales that you will not close any hospitals on your watch as a Cabinet Minister over the next four years? In fact, can you tell us whether you will deliver the long-promised new north Denbighshire community hospital for the people of Rhyl and the whole of the north Denbighshire coast? They've been waiting for that hospital for 13 years, and it is absolutely essential that it is delivered, but not at the current scale, which suggests that there will be just 14 beds. We need to make sure that the original scale of that project is delivered, which is 30 beds, in order to alleviate the problems at Glan Clwyd Hospital down the road, which, as we all know, is one of the worst-performing emergency departments in the country. That needs to change, and that project can deliver it.

Llywydd, the Member suggests that I said there's too much focus on hospitals and that I would like to see hospital beds reduced. I haven't said that at all. In fact, if the Member had read our manifesto, he would have seen differently—that we need to strengthen that hospital bed base. That's why, absolutely, I do support the north Denbighshire delivery, because, as the previous Government, in fairness, said at the time, having those extra beds in the community will ease pressure on Glan Clwyd. That's what we need to see: making sure that we've got those step-down facilities, those recuperation facilities in the community, so that people can leave general hospital and be cared for closer to home. That's why, yes, we're absolutely committed to developing that north Denbighshire hospital, and I look forward to opening it when it's finished.

We know that primary care is often the first point of contact with our NHS, yet, across Wales, GP services have faced significant pressures for many years, particularly around recruitment, retention and long-term sustainability. In my constituency, communities have faced real uncertainty following threats to local practices, driven largely by difficulties recruiting and retaining GPs. Recent statistics show that Wales has once again seen a reduction in both the number of fully qualified GPs and the number of practices over the past year, while organisations, including the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association, have warned that GP retention is now one of the most urgent challenges facing NHS Wales. I therefore welcome this Government's commitment to strengthen GP services. Cabinet Minister, will you outline what measures will help stabilise GP services, support recruitment and retention, and ensure that communities across Wales can continue to access local primary care services? Diolch.

Those are vitally important points that, in part, answer the question put forward by the leader of the Conservatives. Primary care is where over 90 per cent of patient contact with the health system happens, and yet the prolonged neglect of this vital pillar of the system is exacerbating both costs and pressures further along the line. We are committed to shifting resources to rebuild and strengthen the foundations of primary care, which has been sapped so badly over the past decade. I will soon be convening a summit of health board leaders to develop a sustainable road map to this end.

Central to our plans for primary care is to recruit up to 100 additional salaried GPs to expand out-of-hours activity, focusing in particular on more deprived areas, which face disproportionate barriers to accessing services, working in conjunction with the Deep End programme. We'll also be introducing a specific grant to support the overhead costs of GP practices, which we know is deterring recent graduates from setting up their own practices, and exploring technological innovation to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians, thereby unlocking more time for face-to-face contact with patients. We've also gained valuable insight from our engagement with primary care leads in Northern Ireland, where the federated model has proved highly successful in terms of staff retention, and this is something I'm very keen to replicate here in Wales.

That's why this Government is placing productivity at the heart of its approach. Productivity is the foundation of long-term prosperity. It underpins wages, living standards and competitiveness. Today, Wales continues to lag behind, with productivity around 15 per cent lower than the UK average. But productivity is not an abstract measure; it's about raising incomes, creating better jobs, and ensuring prosperity is shared all across Wales. At its heart, productivity depends on two things: the capabilities of our people and the performance of our firms. It is shaped by whether businesses can innovate, scale, adopt new technologies and compete in higher-value markets, and by whether people have the skills to contribute, adapt and progress.

That's why we are adopting a new approach, a mission to tackle productivity and a target to reduce Wales’s productivity gap by half with the UK within 10 years. And now the work begins to realise that ambition. We're moving towards a whole-system model. Our mission is clear: to strengthen productivity, enabling firms to grow, invest and innovate, supported by a skills system that equips people not just for work, but for progression. Entrepreneurs, education, finance, innovators and businesses are the engine of economic growth. Our responsibility is to create the conditions in which businesses can succeed. That means removing the blockers they face—whether in planning, access to energy, access to finance, or infrastructure. It also means ensuring that the support around them—skills, research and innovation—actively supports their development and growth. We will make Wales the easiest place in the United Kingdom to start, grow and invest in a business.

This is not about lowering standards, it's about improving how the Government and its partners work, being clearer about priorities and faster in decision making to join up the systems on which businesses depend.

A key challenge we must address is business scale. Too few Welsh businesses grow to the size where they can invest confidently in innovation, make full use of available skills and compete in higher value markets. So, we will focus on supporting firms to grow, to scale up, while strengthening the foundations that enable that growth.

Reform of our skills system is central to this. We will align skills provision more closely with economic need, ensuring it supports higher value activity and enables individuals to move into better paid roles. We will strengthen links between education, employers and research institutions, so that knowledge flows more effectively into the economy.

Alongside this, we will build a stronger innovation system, supporting firms to adopt new technologies, invest in research and development and benefit fully from Wales’s significant research strengths. We recognise too that some of the factors shaping our economy lie beyond devolved control. That's why we will work constructively with the UK Government, aligning policy and investment wherever it is in Wales’s interests to do so.

Partnership will be critical at every level. We will work closely with businesses, who understand the barriers to growth in real time. We will identify the barriers firms face, assign clear responsibility for resolving them, and ensure that they are addressed quickly and effectively. When a business in Wales wants to grow, innovate or invest in its workforce, it should know exactly where to go. And when something stands in its way, it should know exactly who is responsible for fixing it. Likewise, we will work with trade unions, who bring essential insight into workforce conditions, skills needs and the lived experience of workers across our economy. Their combined perspectives will help ensure our policies are effective, inclusive and grounded in reality.

But delivering this agenda also requires change in how we operate as a Government. A key step will be the establishment of a new national development agency. This will be a modern, agile organisation operating at arm’s length from Government and drawing, crucially, on private sector expertise. Its purpose will be clear: to support growth of Welsh-owned businesses, attract inward investment and strengthen innovation and capability across sectors. This new agency will provide focus, connecting businesses with finance, investment-ready sites and premises, advice, skills, innovation, research and export markets. I look forward to announcing the next steps, including the establishment group, in the coming weeks.

Llywydd, This is a moment of opportunity. Wales has the assets, the talent, and potential to succeed. What is now needed is leadership and delivery. It requires focus and a relentless emphasis on delivery. It requires a Government prepared to make choices and act with pace. And it requires a clear mission, one that puts productivity, people and firms at its core. That is our mission. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you for your statement, Minister, and congratulations on your appointment. I have to relay my initial concern about the direction of the Welsh economy if the answer to the challenges that we're being presented with is to bring back a failed Welsh development agency. History tells us that it was another unnecessary bureaucratic quango that was linked to illegally inflated redundancy payments, where directors flew first class around the world while communities across Wales were left behind. And this—this—is Plaid's answer to the economic decay that infects our towns and valleys. The same model, the same results, not even new branding.

The Welsh Development Agency did, indeed, create some jobs, but it also created a hollowed-out Welsh economy that enabled the easy transit of organisations out of the country. When it became cheaper to operate elsewhere, foreign companies left and they took thousands of high-skill jobs with them. Between 1998 and 2008, Wales lost 171 foreign-owned sites, around 31,000 jobs. Still now, Wales suffers weak productivity, low wages and significant economic underperformance compared to the rest of the UK. And while Wales has just one FTSE 100 company, Welsh businesses are closing at an alarming rate. And that is the WDA legacy. Perhaps that's what they talk about in Boston, but Reform would do things differently. No additional bloated quangos, no new layers of bureaucracy and no abdication of ministerial responsibility to unnamed and unaccountable civil servants. Reform would put Welsh business at the heart of everything we do. We would leverage the tax system to create the environment in which companies, directors, entrepreneurs and risk takers succeed, cutting barriers to relocation, speeding up planning approvals and reducing regulatory burden, making Wales genuinely competitive and attractive for investment. And that is the difference a Reform government would make.

Now, Minister, let's talk about our high streets. Across Wales, illegal shops masquerading as businesses are polluting our high streets. In Caerphilly, we saw a car wash exposed as a people-smuggling network worth millions. Dilshad Shamo and Ali Khdir illegally organised the smuggling of thousands of migrants into Europe. And, Minister, your leader might not believe illegal immigration exists, but our communities up and down this country will tell you it does. And it affects every single one of us, whether you want to admit it or not. Even in my own constituency, shops have sold illegal tobacco and vapes to children while openly displaying drug paraphernalia in shop windows sold as cultural ornaments. Reform will put an end to this black economy. Reform will put genuine Welsh businesses first and work with the UK Government to stamp out criminality on our high streets.

So, Minister, I challenge you today: take action and show that Plaid will not ignore what their own eyes are telling them. Minister, how will you and your Government work with local police and the Home Office to crack down on criminal enterprises masquerading as legitimate businesses, harming the genuine Welsh economy?

Finally, let me turn to the subject of energy. Welsh households are being hammered by rising energy bills due to foreign conflicts. This we all know. Where this Government or the previous Government gets this right, you will have our full support, as has been seen with the SMR project at Wylfa, which will power thousands of homes, create jobs and boost energy security in Wales. Yet, Plaid’s answer is once again to put ideology over the people you are meant to serve. In your 74-page manifesto, not once do you mention the word 'nuclear'. Instead of embracing the opportunity in front of you, Plaid prioritise green ideology over affordability and energy security. The US and the world's major superpowers are all forging ahead with their own high-spec SMR projects at historic rates, yet Wales, again, is suffering delay after delay with a Government that only has plans for plans and nothing that can be measured or delivered—no plan for childcare, your flagship policy; no plan for the economy; and no plan for a brighter, more prosperous Wales. So, with that in mind, where does Plaid really stand on the energy issue? Because Reform, to be clear, backs nuclear.

Minister, you once said that nuclear was the wrong answer for Wales. Do you stand by this and does your party stand by this? How does opposing nuclear power help families in Wales struggling to pay their energy bills or secure energy security? And why should businesses invest in this country of ours, bringing jobs and prosperity, when your Government isn't clear about what it believes in and how you will achieve it? Diolch.

Well, could I first of all congratulate the Member on his appointment to this important opposition position? I look forward to engaging with him, both in the course of scrutiny in this Chamber, but also more widely as well. There is no monopoly on good ideas, and I think it's important that we engage to the extent that is possible, in a constructive way, to try and collectively help Wales achieve its economic potential.

I'll start with—in that spirit—there were some elements in there where there was common ground, and we're keen to build up the common ground, ultimately. As a nation, this is a collective endeavour. We all have a role to play. Opposition parties—I know; I've occupied that position—also have an important role to play, not only in contributing ideas, but also holding us accountable to the target that we've set.

We agree that creating a business environment that is the most conducive in order to allow businesses to achieve their potential is absolutely essential. We're committed to do that, and we've said we want to hear the ideas of business, principally, because of course they will have the best information about how we can do that. But if the party of the Member from Reform also has practical ideas that we can put into place, short, medium and long-term, then he will find that my door is open.

We're all about building consensus where we can. There was an interesting kind of consensus there between the opposition spokesperson and, indeed, the previous administration, because they both agreed that there was no need for a development agency. I would say: look, we want to be evidence led, and the evidence from right across the world shows pretty conclusively, if you ask pretty much any leading economist in this area, that development agencies are the tried-and-tested tool for any nation, region or anywhere else that has driven up the kind of trajectory in terms of productivity growth that I've described. Is it the only thing that you should do? Absolutely not. We're not going to achieve it just through the development agency, but it's a pretty necessary tool in the toolbox, based on the experience elsewhere.

In terms of the town centres, we absolutely are committed to having a revitalised town-centre strategy for town centres the length and breadth of Wales. They are important in their own right as employers, but they're also critically important in other ways. If we want to attract and retain talent, the quality of place in our communities is absolutely intrinsic in order to achieve that goal as well. So, they are right four-square, front and centre, part of our economic strategy. We will be setting up a town-centre taskforce. We're committed to do that in the first 100 days, and, again, if there are ideas—. I heard a lot of negativity, but if there are positive ideas from the party behind me or anyone else, we are in the business of taking the best ideas that we have, and turning Wales into the best place to set up and grow a business to drive our economic progress along the ambitious but achievable goal that I've set out today.

Thank you to the Cabinet Minister for his statement. We've heard a lot about the Government's plans, of course, about the new Welsh development agency, but people aren't asking for promises—they want action, and they want it now. Creating a new sort of agency takes time, it takes effort, it takes money and it takes focus, of course, and people in Wales don't want or need quangos or structures just for the sake of it. What we need is more well-paid, skilled and secure work in every single part of our country, because right now families are genuinely feeling the pressure. Making ends meet, paying the bills—that is the stark reality.

Just last week, we saw the energy price cap go up again. Too many people are still facing impossible choices, rationing their energy at home, with adults skipping their meals in order to make sure that their own children are being fed. Those are the things—and just getting into debt—those are the realities of the everyday person out there. The people that we represent, they can't afford to wait any longer. So, our focus, my focus, will be on the outcomes for working people. How many well-paid jobs are going to be created in all of our communities? That will be the measure of success.

In the 12 months leading up to the Wales investment summit, Wales attracted £4.6 billion of inward investment. That meant real opportunities and real jobs all over the country. Now, we know that Plaid talk about their ambition for Wales, and, of course, we all share that. We know, because—. The reality is: will those actions then match it? Can the Cabinet Secretary tell us whether his new development agency will beat this figure?

Welsh Labour established, of course, the Welsh way of working, that Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023, hand in hand with the trade union movement. So, I will ask, of course: will social partnership remain at the heart of decisions that you are then taking in terms of the development agency and the results it produces in terms of jobs, investment and opportunities?

Right now, we're seeing major changes to the economy and, of course, jobs being done in Wales due to the adoption of artificial intelligence and the transition to net zero. If these are done well, with workers at the centre of Government thinking, we can see real opportunities. The Cabinet Secretary—the Cabinet Minister—talks about the need to close that productivity gap. So, when we're thinking about the opportunities of AI in various sectors and services, we need to then, of course, make sure that any economic reward lifts workers up, not comes at their expense and at the expense of their jobs.

We're being told that we need to move faster on greener energy to create jobs and bring down bills, but, at the same time, the Government is creating uncertainty about how that energy is going to be delivered, because, again, the reality is this: the fastest and most affordable way to deliver green energy at scale is wind power, supported by overhead infrastructure. So, which is it: getting that energy to people quickly and affordably or holding it up, with higher costs and delay? People want cheaper, cleaner energy, but they also need it delivered quickly and at scale. Delay, uncertainty and inaction will not bring down bills. So, how will the Cabinet Minister ensure that these decisions don't slow down investment, push up costs and block the very same jobs that they promised to create? And how will you then, of course, make sure that delivery is fair, that communities like mine in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, which feel very much left behind for too long, actually see and feel that benefit first? Because people in Wales have heard, honestly, enough about ambition and they are tired of the pilots. They want things to go and they want things to move really quickly.

Twenty-seven years.

Because people in Wales have heard—. People in Wales are very clear: they need more money in their pockets.

It's a bit late now.

They need more money in their pockets. They need more secure work. They need jobs and opportunities in the place that they call home—good, fair work jobs. So, can the Cabinet Minister be clear: when will these jobs be created, where will they be created, and how will people know that progress is actually being made?

I welcome the opposition spokesperson, the Labour spokesperson, to her post as well, and I look forward to engaging in detail on all of the issues that she raised. I think that it's important to bring us back, isn't it, to the focus of today, which is the announcement of a goal, a target, which we lacked for 20 years. And one thing that we—. Nobody can absolutely predict the future with 100 per cent certainty. It's not possible, right. But one thing we can predict: if you don't have a goal at all, if you don't have a target at all, you'll never achieve it; you can't even measure progress. And that's why the first step in any plan to revitalise the Welsh economy is to be clear about the direction of travel. In the absence of that clarity in the previous administration, we had decades of drift, didn't we? So, we are setting that right. Actually, I think we've broken all governmental land speed records here. I'm not even three weeks in to being Minister for the economy, and yet we have set out clearly the goal that we are setting for the Welsh economy over the next decade.

And what flows from that then? Many of the things that she's talked about, I agree with. Look, we have to increase the speed of decision making, but part of that comes from aligning your actions, keeping a focus, and you can't do that unless you have a clear goal. Now that we have that, of course, work is already ongoing—many of the elements that she referred to, in terms of the development agency and the role of the development agency. Yes, foreign direct investment will remain, for our economy, as for any economy, an important element within our economic strategy. What it cannot be—. To reference some of the comments from earlier as well, it can't be the only element. It has to be balanced with actually investing in the capability of our own business base, because, of course, they are rooted firms, they are embedded firms, they will actually deliver the platform for long-term growth. But, of course, foreign direct investment can play a part in building up clusters and sectoral competitive advantage, and we will use the development agency to deliver that kind of knowledge and action in a way that will be far more effective than was possible under the previous administration.

We'll have a further opportunity to talk about how the different elements within my portfolio, connectivity, enterprise—. We've made it very clear, of course, that all of these things—economic infrastructure, which includes transport and digital infrastructure, which includes energy as well—all of that needs to be aligned towards this single economic mission goal. If we get that right, if we get the different parts of the system, then, actually, we can really motor. It's important, though, that that energy system delivers for the needs of Wales. We've been here before at other energy revolutions, haven't we, which didn't deliver for Wales. Part of that is about ownership, part of that is understanding what are the energy needs of our communities and our businesses. And yes, that should actually be reflected in competitive advantage for businesses from our energy potential but also, wherever possible, through community ownership actually delivering lower bills for our people as well.

Congratulations, Adam, on your new role. I have to say that I'd like to stop, right from the start of this new Government, where we talk Wales down—and I don't mean you; one of the spokespersons here today, actually, was just about talking Wales down. Now, I have more confidence and some faith in the new Government; we have to give them—. I've worked with them for over 15 years, many of their Members, so I'm willing. And Rhun knows, when we both were elected on that day, I said, 'I'll be watching you, and I'll be watching Reform too.' But the thing is that we've got to be positive now, because, as has been said here today, Wales is in a mess business wise, and there's a lot to be done.

Now, today, they've mentioned about the Menai bridge, and I am disappointed that I did put an urgent question in—it was a very urgent issue, and I do feel that it merited the urgent question—but, for some reason, that question was denied. But it won't stop me doing it when urgent issues—. So, last week, in May half term, whilst competitors from schools from all over Wales were competing in the Urdd Eisteddfod—and I'd like to pay tribute to everybody involved in that and the organisation, massive organisation, that went on behind it—it was bedlam, and we've still got bedlam today, on the Menai bridge. So, when you've said that you want to meet with me—and, Mark, you've said the same—that will be one of my priorities, and the A55, those roundabouts. And generally, though, in your statement today, I haven't seen much about infrastructure, enterprise, connectivity, and that's what the portfolio is all about.

As you know, I've got my meeting next Friday in Llangefni. I've made it cross-party; we've invited the Bangor Conwy MP for Labour and also Llinos Medi, the MP in Ynys Môn, and I've invited all the other MSs, the other five, and county councillors from Anglesey, because I believe that it's time to start working together more collectively. When I was out knocking doors, people were saying, 'Why are you always arguing? Why don't you work together more cohesively?' And where you've got good ideas, I'll work with you, Rhun, and I'll be bringing many good ideas to you, as will other Members, but we've got to be positive.

Now, I've mentioned previously about junctions 15 and 16. I do believe that, on broadband connectivity, the previous Welsh Labour Government let us down fundamentally, because 96 per cent of all households was their commitment, but it's around about 93 per cent that actually have broadband connectivity. But there was no mention at the time about businesses, and I have businesses now who are really struggling to function. We want more and more Welsh businesses starting up, staying in business, but they need that broadband connectivity. So, you're not going to have a good economy in Wales unless you've got good road infrastructure, good broadband connectivity.

We've also got very poor mobile phone connectivity, and I've been working single-handedly with Vodaphone and all the phone companies, and we've now got—. It's taken time, I have to say; planning permission went through quite some time ago. But bringing those masts to Venue Cymru is a priority for me.

You talk of Wales being open for business, but, in your first statement as Cabinet Sec, there is a complete absence of a plan to fix our roads. So, I feel that's a glaring omission. Our transport system is not fit for purpose. We have to get more inward investment into Wales, but, unless you put those priorities in place, then we're not going to see any improvements.

But I say let's stop talking Wales down in the first instance. Who would want to invest in Wales as a business if all you do, the politicians, and new politicians, who have come here to make all these changes, or so you say—? We can't judge you on your record, because you haven't previously had any elected Reform Members. I can only talk about the experience I've had of being here 15 years, and I've seen Welsh Labour, and Plaid to some degree, because you've propped up the Welsh Labour Government—. I've seen many of your failings. I'm prepared to give you a chance now, and I will work with you. We will be a constructive opposition. Diolch yn fawr.

I really welcome the spirit in which the Member has offered her remarks, and I certainly will be taking up her offer of working together, where it is possible, to design solutions to the problems that the people we all represent collectively face in their daily lives, and, in this context, in ensuring that we get the best possible economic outcomes. New ideas from any direction, I think, are absolutely incredibly valuable, and we will approach this important responsibility that we have in a collaborative manner, in the way that she described.

In relation to some of the specifics, the Member is right to point to the absolute centrality of infrastructure. If we think about the productivity goal that we've set out as the mission today, then, you know, most economists would say that there are three key elements in terms of the long-term success of achieving that kind of productivity growth. One is skills, the other one is innovation, the third one is infrastructure, and so getting the infrastructure right so that our businesses then have the platform that they need in order to deliver their own business potential. So, absolutely, we will be focused on that, and you're right to keep us focused on that, and we look forward to further opportunities to explore how exactly we do that.

In relation to the situation in terms of some of the key strategic corridors that she mentioned, one of them has been mentioned several times today, the Menai crossing, and we as a Government are absolutely clear on the importance of that and the resilience of that crossing. We understand absolutely—directly, I think I can say—the urgency of coming up with solutions that are both short-, medium-term and long-term durable ones.

Indeed, just, if I may, Llywydd, to correct the statement that was made earlier about budget agreements, Plaid Cymru actually did agree a budget agreement with the then Labour administration in 2017 for £3 million precisely to support the design and development of a third Menai crossing. To quote Max Boyce, I know because I was there, and that has given us the platform so that we can now, in an accelerated and focused way, move forward.

That work has already started in scoping, and, indeed, we've also had similar conversations in the context of Brynglas as well, and we want to look holistically at the entire network. I can say that the Deputy Minister and I have also had our first expansive discussion about potholes as well. Maintenance is also part of the picture, isn't it, in terms of maintaining our infrastructure. I look forward to continuing this engagement in the manner that she set out, in a constructive way, so we can actually collectively achieve progress on behalf of the people of Wales.

Diolch, Llywydd, and diolch, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today.

I consistently hear from young people all across Wales that there is a lack of opportunities for work and training in their communities. In Wales, we've consistently had one of the highest proportions of 18 to 24-year-olds not in education or training, limiting their life chances and holding back our economy. This also leads to young people leaving Wales. Too many people my age and younger feel like they have no choice but to leave Wales. So, in light of missed apprenticeship targets and the previous Labour Government's poor record on supporting young people into work, will the Cabinet Minister outline how this new Welsh Government will improve access to education, employment and training, and ensure that young people, particularly those who have grown up in poverty, are able to build their futures in Wales?

I'm really grateful to the Member for putting this right at the core of our discussion this afternoon, because if we think about the engine of the economy, the absolutely central engine is the potential of our young people, which far too often, now and in our past, has been wasted potential. Young people have been locked out of opportunity, and our productivity mission is about building the bridge back, so that those young people can achieve their true potential, and that includes young people who, through necessity, have left Wales, and that's why, as part of our diaspora strategy, we will be trying to create opportunities for those who want to return to Wales to work and to set up businesses.

And in relation to skills, as I said earlier, that has to be right at the centre of our strategy. So, in the first instance, understanding in as clear a way as possible the needs of business, what are the challenges and opportunities through a skills audit, having a skills summit then, so that we can design a skills system that delivers for Wales, but absolutely central to that is delivery for the young people of Wales and ensuring that they have the opportunity to achieve the potential that they undoubtedly have.

In relation to the question I'm going to ask, I'd like to declare that I have a small self-catering unit next to my home.

All the economic impact assessments that I've read recently relating to the tourism levy, which your party supported, show a potential reduction in gross value added and a loss of jobs. So, how can the 'grow, invest and innovate' mantra of this new agency also apply to the tourism sector?

The tourism sector is an absolutely key part of our economy and it has great potential to grow. We don't, for example, at the moment, achieve a sufficient proportion of international visitors to the UK. I was glad to welcome some Canadians in the inaugural flight from Toronto. There are many things that we can do with the tourism sector, and we're keen to have that approach, a close working relationship with them.

The tourism levy, of course, is ultimately a decision for local authorities. The conditions and the context in Wales will be different in many places, but there's an opportunity for that levy to be used to support the tourism sector, to actually turn it into a sector that delivers for our economy, but delivers sustainable high-wage employment opportunities throughout the year for our young people, and we are absolutely ready, willing, keen, able and enthusiastic about working with the tourism and the wider hospitality sectors, because we have a fantastic product. We have great opportunities, so let's actually realise that potential together.

Thank you, Cabinet Minister, for your statement. I'd like to welcome you to your role. I know from working with you previously on the economy committee that this is a portfolio area that you are truly passionate about.

I'd like to focus on energy. We've all seen how rocketing energy bills are having a devastating effect on family finances across Wales because of unstable global markets, so it's more important than ever that we produce the home-grown, clean energy that we need, faster than ever before. Building on a point raised by my colleague Shav Taj, we know that Plaid Cymru have said that they would prohibit large steel lattice pylons immediately. Now, we all want to protect our landscapes—let's be clear on that—but this immediate approach risks making it slower, less attractive and more expensive to produce the clean energy that we need. So, I do believe there are crucial questions for this Plaid Cymru Government to answer. Can you guarantee that the cost of this new infrastructure won't be passed on to consumers in even higher energy bills? And can you guarantee that we will meet our legally binding target of 100 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2040, with these limits in place?

I think that the Member is absolutely right to raise the question of energy costs: it's true for individual consumers and families; it's true also for businesses as well. So, I think that the question for us is: can we get smart and creative in using the potential that we have in terms of clean energy in ways that actually deliver lower costs?

We believe that one of the most effective ways of doing that is to build community-owned, locally owned infrastructure. There's proven evidence that that can deliver a lower cost to households. But we'll also be looking at how we can actually use that principle and apply it to businesses as well—so, looking at things like onsite generation, behind the wire, using 'private wire' as in the jargon, which means that you then can avoid some of the network costs that drive up the price. So, we are absolutely keen to have that conversation. Our position on pylons, on new distribution lines, is absolutely clear. Just on cost, building long new lines of distribution over many, many kilometres is not the best way, possibly, to address the cost issue. There are other ways—the ones that I've described—that actually can deliver lower costs for families, for communities and for business, and we'll be focusing creatively and innovatively on those areas where we can have the greatest impact.

As Plaid Cymru's economic strategy outlined, Wales has a wealth of small businesses and a relatively high proportion of large firms, especially in the economic powerhouse that is Fflint Wrecsam. It's clear that supporting microbusinesses to scale up has been an issue in Wales, and the business support available is fragmented. The plan for a new development agency is therefore very welcome and will have real benefits in supporting the growth of Welsh businesses, improving their export functions, while also supporting international investment in Wales. Could the Cabinet Minister therefore outline the work being undertaken to establish this agency, and how it will ensure that foreign direct investment works with and for Welsh businesses and communities?

I really welcome the Member's question and you're right: I think it's long been a shared understanding among those who have looked at the question of why Wales, over many decades, has underperformed compared to its potential that it's this missing middle. We have many micro and small businesses in Wales, which actually are very, very important in terms of our local economy, as we previously described. But what we do lack is those businesses at scale, and getting from small to medium and getting from medium to large, as well, with home-grown businesses, that is a critical element in any country or region that has achieved its economic potential. And so, that will be one of the key areas of focus for the new development agency. And then it's about understanding, 'Look, what are the constraints and what are the opportunities?' They'll be different on a business-to-business basis, and that's why having account managers that are actually then able to tailor that support package—. It might be finance with a particular business. It might be a business that has identified a new export market. Well, that's the kind of very agile, dynamic approach that a development agency can deliver.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary. I should declare an interest; I've worked with Lord Grimstone in the UK's Office for Investment, so I deeply care about this, as someone who's seen at close hand what can be achieved when you've got the true ingredients together. A properly designed body in this circumstance, according to his own figures, attracted well over £50 billion. That experience makes me more rather than less exacting about delivery. Such a body only works with genuine commercial freedom and clear accountability, and Wales has tried various models that have lacked this in the past. So, my question is clear: why is this different to other models that have come in the past? How will this agency recruit the expertise the standard model cannot? And what other clear targets, so that success can be measured, so this creates a one-stop for investors to come into Wales and to invest?

I think that's a really great question, and I really look forward, maybe, to having a further conversation with the Member, drawing upon her own evident experience and expertise. I think, how can we get it—? You're absolutely right. We need, actually, if we're going to create the kind of business-facing, agile and dynamic organisation that we need, then we need to draw on business expertise, people that have run, founded and, in some cases, turned around major successful business organisations, both within Wales and internationally. We'll have more to say about this in the next few weeks, but drawing upon that commercial expertise is going to be critical, not just in the design phase that we will be going through, but then in the operational phase as well.

Of course, a public agency always has to have guardrails. There was reference to what went awry in the previous Welsh Development Agency. We understand there needs to be a framework, doesn't there, but also you need to empower and enable an agency to work in a different way than is possible for the centre of Government to do. So, there are some examples that we can draw upon. So, as well as tapping into business acumen and expertise, the other thing we need to do is look around the world, internationally, and say, 'Well, who are the best? Who are the best in class that have really done this?' And then, obviously, translate that into our own context and conditions.

I look forward to engaging with her and with businesses across Wales in order to get this design as right as we can in the early stage, and then make sure that we learn as we go forward, we adapt as we learn more about what works.

A question, really, probably in three parts. The first one is: what use of artificial intelligence to improve productivity is planned? The second one is: how will the Minister support computing and life science departments in universities so the spin-offs from them can grow and provide high-paid, high-quality jobs? And coming on to start-ups, I always remember that Hewlett-Packard was started in a garage by two people, and Amazon in a garage by one person. What support is going to be given to not only getting the companies to start up, but more importantly to get them to grow? Far too often in Wales, we have companies, they start off, they get to medium size, they can maybe employ a couple of hundred people and, all of a sudden, they get eaten up, taken over, bought, whichever terminology you prefer, by larger companies. What can we do to ensure that they stay in Wales and don't sell out at the first possible opportunity?

I agree. I thank the Member for all those very pertinent questions, actually. We have many of the raw ingredients of success, as I've described, and one of them, actually, is we do have great universities with highly relevant subject-matter expertise. And what we are not so good at—and this is true not just of Wales; it's true of the UK as a whole, actually—we have great ideas, we have great research, but we're not very good at commercialising that research in the way that, for instance, the United States of America, classically, is able to turn knowledge into products for new start-up businesses, some of which grow, of course, significantly to become unicorns. So, there's a bit of bridging work there, and the Government actually plays an important part in providing that bridge.

I think that venture capital, certainly, again, is lacking in the UK. It's certainly lacking in Wales. The Development Bank of Wales, I think, has done a fairly good job at what I would call 'passive capital'—that's business lending, effectively. Venture capital is a form of active capital, where you don't just get money, you actually get the know-how and the knowledge that comes with the money, because those investors really want to protect their investment to the greatest extent possible.

And then, I think we need to look at our start-up ecosystem. Part of building an effective start-up ecosystem comes into where an arm's-length agency is better, because failure and risk are an absolutely necessary part of building a start-up ecosystem. If you only invest in sure-fire bets, then you will never get start-ups that will scale up eventually. You've got to put some guardrails against that where you're involving public money as well. In terms of start-up ecosystems, there are places in the world that do this very well—and I'm not just talking about Silicon Valley; they're in a scale of their own. There are other places similar to Wales that do this well. We will learn from them very quickly indeed. Flanders is one, actually. That's an example of a region that reinvented itself precisely in the manner that I just described.