Can I thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement? What I would say at the outset is that I do understand the Government’s position on Communities First, and your concern that, of itself, it hasn’t achieved its ambition to lift people out of poverty. In some areas, it really hasn’t delivered at all. As you recognised in your statement, I think it’s probably difficult to imagine that any devolved administration can deliver any one policy that would lift a population out of poverty as poverty is also linked to the macro-economic situation of the United Kingdom, which is outwith the control of Welsh Government. Of course, again, like you’ve alluded to, Cabinet Secretary, there’s the unfair benefits system, which hits the poorest the hardest. It’s again something over which Welsh Government has no control. However, you know from my previous contributions in this Chamber and in personal representations that I’ve made to you that I have nothing but praise for the benefits that Communities First schemes have brought to my constituency. My concern in ending the scheme was that we could end up throwing the baby out with the bath water, and that much of the excellent work currently being done could be lost. So, I would like to thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for the way in which you have listened to the representations from myself and other Members.

It’s welcome that Welsh Government has recognised the real benefits that some Communities First schemes have delivered, and is putting a generous transition arrangement into place. I also welcome the fact that, during the transition period, local authorities will be able to directly prioritise those schemes that are most beneficial to the community, allowing time for them—as you’ve said in response to Mark Isherwood’s question—to refocus on what they do and to seek alternative funding streams where necessary, so that work that has made a difference in those communities can continue. I’m thinking particularly about the work around health, well-being and social inclusion. The transition period, I can see, Cabinet Minister, will allow Welsh Government time to refocus its anti-poverty priorities, directly moving the emphasis towards employability, which we all accept is the key to lifting people out of poverty, and this policy does move across areas currently not covered by Communities First.

And can I say, I very much welcomed the strategy that was set out by Alun Davies last night at the Valleys taskforce public meeting in Merthyr Tydfil, which homed in on the need for employability skills to be at the centre of revitalised Valleys communities, together with the provision of well-paid, quality, secure jobs, but also continuing with Flying Start, Families First, ACEs and the children’s zones, which you set out in your statement? So, my question, Cabinet Secretary, is whether you can agree with me that when, as part of the transition arrangements, the legacy money is allocated to local authorities, those councils must prioritise the work that successful Communities First schemes have delivered for some of our most deprived areas, and that they will be given clear guidance on how to do so, and that consideration will be given to ring-fencing this money to ensure that that happens.