Thank you for your statement, Minister. The social services and well-being Act was the biggest shake-up in social care in decades, intended to put the people receiving care and their carers at the heart of the system. These changes were absolutely necessary. Social care has been hugely under-resourced and is likely to be put under increasing pressure in future decades as our population ages. So, therefore, additional funding is welcomed.

I welcome this Government’s commitment to improving social services, with care being totally focused on the individual’s needs, rather than the needs of service providers. I look forward to reviewing the annual report later this year, so that we can ensure the delivery is meeting its intentions. The national survey for Wales found that, last year, just over half of the public thought that their local authority was delivering good social services. So, I would like to see a vast improvement when the national survey results are published again in the autumn.

I have just one or two questions for you, Minister, and I recognise that we are at the start of the journey of transforming social care delivery, but to those waiting for care assessments or home adaptations, we can’t simply tell them that change is coming. So, what is your Government doing to reduce waiting times for home adaptation? And, Minister, you mention you’re proud that the Act gives enhanced rights to carers, so what is your Government doing to ensure that the funding and facilities are in place to deliver those carers’ rights?

Minister, your statement highlights the fact that the Act is a partnership approach between carers and providers from all sectors. And your predecessor was keen on the co-operative model of direct payments, so what success have you had in encouraging people with care needs to set up and operate co-operatives to make better use of direct payments?

And finally, Minister, the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act will go a long way to put an end to appalling abuses in care, and I look forward to working with you to ensure the social care regime in Wales is as safe as it possibly can be. I would be grateful if you could update us all on the work undertaken to ensure that all of those undertaking care work are suitably trained. Thank you once again for your statement and for the positive way you are working with all parties in this Chamber to improve social care in Wales. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr.