In addition, the Tech Valleys programme is also incredibly exciting. I recently announced £100 million of Welsh Government funding over 10 years that will support the creation of more than 1,500 high-quality jobs. In recognition of the growing importance of digital technologies, we are supporting a number of initiatives to assist the region's technological credentials. Our support of the compound semiconductor sector is an example of the value we place on high-value industries. The strengths in this sector in the south-east region have led to the establishment, of course, of the world's first compound semiconductor cluster.

Remaining with the theme of technology, Wales has also emerged as a centre of excellence in cyber security, with the south Wales region recognised as a prime location for both research and development and the commercialisation of defence and security products and services. Recognising the importance of a strong skills base for the continued growth of the economy, we are supporting the UK's first national software academy. Data are fast becoming a key part of the modern economy and will continue to drive innovation and economic growth for as far as we can see. It's encouraging, therefore, to see a significant number of data-driven businesses innovating in this field in south-east Wales, and especially in the Newport area.

Of course, Newport is also home to a significant number of major employers in the field of data and data management—for example, ONS and the Intellectual Property Office—and the new data science campus acts as a hub for the whole of the UK public and private sectors and will certainly help to build Wales's growing reputation as an international leader in this field.

Then, of course, we also have the £84 million International Convention Centre Wales to look forward to, and construction, as I'm sure all Members will have now seen, is well under way. This will be a huge asset for Newport and the entire region of south-east Wales, enabling us to compete with any venue in the UK and Europe. There are around about 350 construction workers on site now and they'll be there for the next two or so years. It will bring an estimated £50 million to the local economy. It will also, crucially, I think, for the region and for Wales as a whole, help drive up the offer to the visitor economy and, especially with regard to hospitality, help to drive up the quality of hotels and bed-and-breakfasts in the region.

Now, following the inaugural Severn growth summit event on 22 January at the Celtic Manor resort, at which David Rosser, our chief regional officer for south-east Wales, spoke, I jointly led with the Secretary of State for Wales a discussion with business and civic leaders from across south-east Wales, and crucially, as well, with the west of England, to gauge an appetite for more joint working on both sides of the border. I'm clear that both regions can certainly benefit from closer economic ties, and that creating the western powerhouse around the Severn estuary will present a compelling proposition to draw in more investment, whether from the UK Government or from overseas investors. And I've asked the chief regional officer to lead this work with counterparts in the Bristol region to explore how this can be taken forward.

I would welcome the construction of additional new homes, and the announcement that the Severn bridge tolls will be scrapped on 17 December will also boost economic connectivity into the region. We know that the figure, in terms of benefit to Wales, is around about £100 million a year, and, with regard to house building, whilst I would welcome the building of new homes, I'd say it's absolutely essential that those homes are built for people who would otherwise, perhaps, be forced to leave the community in which they have grown up because of a lack of housing stock, and therefore too high a price to be paid for existing properties.

In terms of rail connectivity, I've been very clear in my correspondence and engagement with the UK Government that we need to see reduced journey times between south Wales and London and other parts of the south of England, not through implementing a closure of services along the Wales side of the main line, but on the English side. We believe that time savings could be achieved through certain stops not taking place. But it's a tragic fact that, as a result of years of underinvestment and the cancellation of electrification from Cardiff through to Swansea, it's now no longer possible to reach London in a faster time than it would have taken 41 years ago. It's absolutely clear that, whilst we may have electrification to Cardiff, further electrification or remedial work to ensure that times are improved must take place at great speed.

I'm pleased to say that I've also met with Tim Bowles on a number of occasions. We have, I believe, a very strong working relationship. He has visited here, he has sat in my office and we have shared our views, which are incredibly similar on cross-border collaboration. Likewise, I have similar relationships with metro mayors in the north-west of England, and I'm looking to develop a similar positive relationship with the metro mayor in the west midlands. I am a firm believer, and passionate believer, in cross-border collaboration. I know that some in this Chamber, although they are not present here now, vehemently and vociferously object to working with our partners just across the border. But what does it say about our country, as an outward-looking, internationalist country if we are saying to our neighbours just across the border that we do not want to work with them.

I will gladly give way.