I very much welcome, Cabinet Secretary, your statement today. It’s a very positive statement, and I’m impressed with what you’ve said today.

I do have a number of questions. Firstly, I would be grateful if you could outline the funding attached to the commitments made today, and whether you have considered a multi-year funding agreement to provide certainty for operators to plan and invest in their services, rather than on a year-by-year basis?

Cabinet Secretary, you’ve said that significantly more people in Wales use buses compared with journeys undertaken on our rail network. So, with that in mind, there is an issue of imbalance between public funding spent on the rail network and on the bus network. So, I wonder if you have got views on that balance, and whether you think that needs to be addressed.

I have to say, I think I was very impressed with the point you made that you’re not prepared to abandon more isolated communities to a life that is dependent wholly on the motor car, and that this is simply not acceptable. Of course, that is particularly relevant to rural communities across Wales. Cuts to the bus service operators grant have meant that some routes have been discontinued. Certainly, it’s my view that the bus operators grant is vital in ensuring that communities have regular bus services, especially in those rural isolated areas that you mentioned. So, can I ask whether you have considered restoring full funding for this grant to provide local authorities and bus operators with the confidence to sustain and reinstate previously unviable bus routes?

There’s also still a cultural perception that buses are not viable modes of transport for all. So, I would be grateful if you could outline how the Welsh Government intends to help encourage the change in perception, and prioritise measures that will incentivise more people to make the change from private transport to buses, through measures such as smart ticketing, which, of course, makes travel more convenient and flexible.

The bus industry in Wales has made no secret, certainly to me when I met with representatives over the summer, of the fact that a true partnership between operators, Welsh Government and local authorities is necessary. Therefore, can I ask what progress has been made by the Welsh Government in implementing recommendations from your bus policy advisory group, which has previously recommended that network partnerships should be established?

Further to this, Cabinet Secretary, you will be aware that the UK Government has proposed a buses Bill, which is intended to strengthen arrangements for partnership working in the sector. Your predecessor previously noted that there are a number of significant limitations to the Assembly’s current powers to introduce similar legislation in Wales. Would you be able to expand on this? Can I also ask what intentions does the Government have to extend the concessionary fares scheme to younger carers who carry out an important role in Welsh society, and who currently miss out on vital transport links to further education?

And finally, I was pleased to hear you mention ‘integrated’ on a number of occasions throughout your statement. The lack of integration between bus and train timetables has been an issue that does require major improvements. You’ll be aware that I’ve mentioned to you an issue in my own constituency, in Caersws, where the bus arrives one minute after the train, or vice versa. So, I would be grateful for more information on what you intend to do to ensure an integrated transport system, and avoid these timetable issues.