I just want to pick up on a couple of albeit very different aspects outlined in today’s legislative statement. Firstly, on childcare, I welcome the progress that’s been made with the pilots that have been outlined on the childcare offer and its inclusion for legislation is outlined today. As for many, this is a huge issue for many of my constituents and something that’s been raised with me time and time again in conversation, in correspondence, both prior to the election and in the past year since I have been the Assembly Member for Delyn. Whilst I recognise that it is vitally important that this childcare offer is flexible and the delivery meets the differing needs of working parents, I’m also acutely aware that, for many working parents in my constituency, this most ambitious childcare proposal in the UK and potentially life-changing legislation can’t come soon enough. So, first of all, can I press on the Welsh Government to legislate on this as soon as practically possible so that people across my constituency and across the country don’t miss out on this essential support and key election pledge?

Secondly, on the proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol law in Wales in order to deal with the challenges around harmful levels of drinking, fuelled by the availability of cheap and strong alcohol, this is welcome and warranted, but I’d also wonder if the Welsh Government could consider taking this opportunity to address the challenges facing traditional pubs in communities across the country. Many pubs in communities have closed in recent years, and, while pubs remain the hub and heart of many communities, many of which now are also becoming a post office or the village shop, communities currently have very little in their armoury to protect their local public houses from closure, meaning that, according to CAMRA, two pubs continue to close every week here in Wales. I recently became a member of CAMRA myself, which I can assure colleagues was a purely altruistic move to support industry and businesses in my constituency of Delyn. But, in all seriousness, I think something along the lines of an assets of community value scheme could be the difference when it comes to protecting our public houses from further closure in the future, and also the removal of permitted development rights for pubs could empower the community, giving people a direct say before a pub is demolished or converted. So, to wrap up, First Minister, can I urge, as part of any future legislative programme, that steps be taken to support the pub industry in Wales in the future, and steps that allow our communities to have a greater say?