Can I thank you for your statement this afternoon? Certainly, we welcome the move towards a much more streamlined support environment, and that’s something I’ve previously indicated to you after previous statements. Can I also welcome the continued emphasis on a truly cross-government approach, which I think is essential? We’ve heard these words being said in the past, but I am hoping—and I’m sure the proof will be in the pudding—that we will see that cultural shift happening in essence now as the new proposals are rolled out.

Now, of course it’s welcome that employment levels have risen in Wales, as you say. But, as you also acknowledge, in-work poverty, underemployment, zero-hours contracts and other factors, of course, remain a significant cause for concern. We’ve been clear that we want to see skills being aligned with skills shortages in the economy and provision being available to people of all ages across Wales so that everyone has the same opportunity to upskill and reskill as people’s working lives become longer, of course, and more uncertain in these uncertain times.

Speaking of which, funding is key. You tell us in your statement about the holistic package of personalised, bespoke, and intensive support and mentoring. That doesn’t come cheap, and a lot of this in the past has been funded through European funding. When I raised that with you a few months ago you were quite bullish in saying that promises were made and the money will come. I don’t detect the same level of confidence at the moment generally, as well as in this statement, and I’m just wondering whether you could tell us a little bit about how you intend to fund the new provision. Will it reflect current levels, or are you anticipating an increased investment from somewhere, given maybe, some would say, the increased ambition that’s reflected in your statement? Or how do you see that playing out?

Now, the new offer is expected now to begin in April 2019 rather than April 2018, and clearly some will be disappointed that we’re maybe not getting to where we would like to be as quickly as we would like to. I’m sure you share that to a degree, but maybe you could explain to us why you think that we need to wait until then, really, before we can see work in Wales being rolled out more broadly.

You mention that you want to use the Valleys as a test bed to inform the new delivery approach, and that makes perfect sense. It’s always good to pilot and trial, although I would say that, in contrast, the childcare offer is being piloted and trialled in a number of places in a number of different contexts. I’m just wondering whether you are considering or looking at potential pilots or similar in, let’s say, rural areas in comparison to Valleys areas, so that a broader number of lessons can be learned in terms of enacting much of this.

You tell us that the Welsh Government employability board will draw up the plan, and the Wales employment and skills board will provide strategic direction. Could you tell us who’s tasked with delivering this, then, at the end of the day, and also how you’ll be holding them accountable for the delivery? I have to say there are references in your statement to a number of boards, taskforces, working groups, commissions, and, for a sector that’s perceived to be quite complex and multi layered, I don’t know whether that maybe tells us something as well. But, generally, can I thank you for your statement? We’ll continue, I’m sure, to support the direction you’re moving in, but we need to be sure that it’s being done properly, in a timely manner, and in a sustainable way, particularly in the financial sense.