I completely agree that it is important that we encourage—well, more than encourage—we create the climate for SMEs to be able to build homes, which is one of the reasons we increased our property development fund under the Wales development bank from £10 million to £30 million. This fund is for SMEs to be able to access finance when they might not be able to access it from other sources in order to enable them to build homes within our communities. That fund is a recycled fund, so, over the course of this scheme, it will allow up to £270 million of investment through SMEs in house building, which I think is really important. But, again, it is often about finding those plots of land that we are able to give up for social housing, or other housing, depending on the local need, which is why I'm working with Welsh Government colleagues to identify those plots of land. We also have an exciting self-build plot shop scheme, which we are developing with RCT to see what we can do particularly in the Rhondda to use those empty plots within communities for SMEs particularly, or for people who would like to build their own properties to be able to do so.

So, on a visit to the former Bargoed fire station site recently, I did visit some new social rented flats and a supported housing scheme that was helping people to regain or develop their confidence to be able to live independently. Alongside this investment in social housing, we're also allocating significant resources to assist people wanting to purchase a home through Help to Buy—Wales, Rent to Own—Wales and Shared Ownership—Wales. In addition, we continue to support potential innovative solutions, or innovative approaches, to our housing challenges, such as the Co-operative Housing in Wales project, which has led directly to co-operative housing models being developed in the Valleys, including in Gellideg in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhydyfelin in RCT. Through our Innovative Housing Programme, we are keen to look at different ways of doing things, building homes that are fit for the future. Some of the excellent schemes funded last year include an extra-care scheme, providing 40 homes using factory-built units in Aberdare, as well as eight homes in Aberkenfig, using a modular system manufactured in the Wernick factory just 10 miles from the construction site. I'm also keen to explore new ideas. For example, we are working closely with Valleys authorities in developing new and innovative ideas for self- and custom-built homes. These ideas include using public land assets, planning and financing, and I hope to make a more detailed statement on this in the autumn.

Looking forward, I want to set even more stretching targets in future, both in the Valleys and right across Wales, in terms of house building, and I also want the Welsh Government to continue to create a climate that drives innovation and improvements in terms of design, quality and energy efficiency. This is why I have commissioned the review of affordable housing supply. That review is going to need to balance the growing need for affordable homes against a backdrop of continuing pressures on the public expenditure available to support house building. 

The Valleys taskforce is continuing its work to focus resources on bringing about real change for the south Wales Valleys, and housing is a really integral part of this work. Following a period of talking and listening to people who live in Valleys communities, we published the delivery plan in November, and this consists of actions and programmes across Welsh Government and includes actions relating to housing development and improving town centres. As part of this, a project commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is seeking to gather information about the housing difficulties faced by low-income households in the Valleys and to provide recommendations for future improvements. I very much look forward to shortly receiving that final report and considering any subsequent actions as a result.

So, Valleys housing is clearly a heritage worth investing in, and we're doing just that. We must protect and cherish this past heritage as well as looking to the future. The Cardiff city deal has made housing a focus across the region, which offers real opportunity for a more strategic approach and targeted use of resources. The south Wales metro is a huge opportunity to link more communities to economic hubs and help sustain and invigorate Valleys communities. We will make sure that we make the most of these opportunities to enhance the future of Valleys communities.

So, to conclude, we're taking decisive action to maintain and improve our Valleys housing stock for current and future generations. We're also supporting wide-ranging and innovative programmes to increase the housing supply in the Valleys and across Wales. An investment in housing is an investment in our Valleys communities, and our record shows that we do invest in these communities, and we will continue to do so.