Communities First is now coming to an end, and in my particular valley, the Afan valley, it has had a positive influence upon many individuals, community groups and their neighbourhoods, as well as in other locations across Wales that I'm aware of. That is one programme we were fully supportive of, and it was a flagship for the Welsh Government for many years. The Valleys taskforce and the publication of 'Our Valleys, Our Future' has set out a number of key priorities to support good quality jobs and skills, greater public services and local communities. Now, this group of experts represents key sectors across the Valleys, and this work has been underpinned by continuing engagement with the communities. I want to see this continue, to ensure that the voices of the Valleys shape the way in which this taskforce continues to operate, though it still doesn't involve all the Valleys at this point in time; it's still limited in who it gets.

Now, this vision is more important than ever, especially considering the UK Government's decision to plough on with its flawed austerity policy, which means that, here in Wales, we're facing more cuts to our budgets as they continue to reduce the impact on our welfare, on our vulnerable people, on our society. The finance Secretary reminded us only last week, in a response to a question on council tax increases in Wales, that the eight years of austerity in public services causes great challenges to local authorities as they try to deliver the vital work in our communities. I will quote the 'Our Valleys, Our Future' publication, where it says success can

'only be achieved if communities are fully involved' in the design and delivery of the planned action. I couldn't agree more with that, Cabinet Secretary, but it is important that my constituents' voices are heard loud and clear in that process, and we need to get it right. There are a number of key areas that must be prioritised. We must look to the future, whilst remembering our rich industrial past, harnessing the spirit to deliver social change that binds communities together and allows young people to thrive. Throughout all this work and change, we must also ensure that the principles that are enshrined in our well-being of future generations Act underpin our actions.

We know local government bears the brunt of the UK Government's austerity agenda. Now, last year, the Wales Public Services 2025 report found that functions, including transport, protection, culture, libraries, environmental services, have carried the weight of the budget reductions, being hollowed out by up to 40 per cent. Public transport is often difficult to sustain. Better connectivity throughout south Wales is vital, and we must ensure these improvements enable greater capacity and improved frequency of travel. I am very pleased the taskforce is looking broadly across all the Valleys, as it provides us with a real opportunity to create a transport system that will benefit people who live and work in the Valleys—although, in the Afan valley, there is very limited delivery at the moment, so there is still much work to be done. When we consider improvements to our transport networks in the Valleys, we must stress the importance of getting those furthest from the labour market physically better connected to good jobs throughout south Wales, though even better would be bringing those jobs closer to the communities.

Many Valleys communities find themselves isolated from the employment opportunities that exist across south Wales and, for our young people, this is not good enough. And when we talk about better jobs closer to home, the solution to this vision should not simply be an increased level of public sector employment opportunities. Whilst these roles are important and often serve the local community through delivering vital services, there's also a key role for the private sector in building investment and offering new opportunities across our region, and we want to see a Valleys community that is able to make the most of skills and the opportunities that exist from within. For example, at home in my own constituency, we have the Afan valley resort being proposed, which will make use of our unique natural landscape to develop what will be, hopefully, a popular location providing employment opportunities to people in the locality, and to boost tourism not just in my valley, but across all the Valleys, because of the other services and other activities that will be available elsewhere and close by. It will build on the Valleys as a place for leisure, tourism and wider public sector investment.

Bringing new jobs for people is vitally important, but we also have to look at the skills agenda, which is very crucial, because, as we talk about new jobs and opportunities, we must maximise also the foundational economy as well. We need a set of skills. Now, there is a shortage of skills, which we acknowledge, and we must improve that to attract businesses into the Valleys. The regional skills partnerships are working to analyse the economic challenges and identify the growth areas where skill gaps exist within the workforce, and that requires a collaborative approach from training providers through to businesses, to ensure the next generation will learn the skills in the future. It's important that skills development starts in our schools, and if we are to have a robust policy for our Valleys, we must ensure that the educational needs are delivered within them, ensuring that this vital aspect of social cohesion remains in the heart of those communities and is not seen to be transferred to other areas and once again depriving our Valleys communities of a critical component of that social fabric. For example—and you would expect me to say this—the current proposals within the Afan valley to close the local secondary school, Cymer Afan, and transfer out the pupils to a new school outside the valley has actually ignited the embers of a fire that previously existed within the valley's communities, and has now ignited into a rolling blaze, and reminded us of the role that the school plays in the social cohesion across the valley. This latest proposed loss of a public service—and it is a public service—on top of the losses of other public services, reinforces the impact that austerity is having in those communities. It is incumbent upon the Welsh Government to protect the social fabric that is now threadbare, and to act in accordance with the well-being of future generations legislation to strengthen even this basic need within a valley, and to re-assert the cohesion that has existed within those communities. They must no longer feel abandoned and left behind.

In concluding this short debate, I want to reiterate my key points around listening to our communities, and delivering a plan that provides our Valleys with what they want and need. I acknowledge that this challenge has been made all the more difficult because of the austerity agenda, which has been presided over by an unsympathetic UK Tory Government, and the impact of those eight years of austerity on our public service delivery in Wales. It means there is less money available to support those communities that are so desperate for that support, and that are some of our most vulnerable. But for policymakers here in the National Assembly, despite these financial restraints, which are down to that ideology of austerity, we need to recognise that spirit, that social fusion, which has been the glue of Valleys communities. We need to make sure that that continues to thrive. We must harness that energy and enthusiasm to work with people to build a future where well-being and opportunity for those who live and work in the Valleys is not exclusive, but for everyone.

What have become isolated communities, which are physically and economically vulnerable to changes in the political landscape, now have the potential to become part of a broader vision for Wales, and, in particular, south Wales, whilst retaining their unwavering community spirit and resilience. Cabinet Secretary, it is important that we now take that opportunity.