Cabinet Secretary, thank you for your statement on regional investment after Brexit, and thank you for acknowledging the work of the Finance Committee in its report, 'Preparations for replacing EU funding for Wales'—key recommendations, which, of course, will be of no surprise, leading with the priority of negotiations with the UK Government to secure the best possible funding deal to ensure Wales is not a penny worse off post Brexit, as laid out in 'Securing Wales' Future', which has stood the test of time over the past two years.

I also want to raise questions on funding prospects post Brexit in relation to the UK shared prosperity fund, particularly focusing on the frustration that we've had, both in the Finance Committee and, indeed, in the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee, about the lack of engagement in shaping, as you say, an opportunity to help shape—the Welsh Government, the National Assembly—this fund. The Finance Committee did receive a letter from the Secretary of State for Wales last week that comments on our inquiry's report. In his letter, the Secretary of State refers to the UK shared prosperity fund, and he says 'we intend to consult' on this 'publicly...before the end of 2018'.

Well, when the Secretary of State was invited earlier this year to attend the committee on this inquiry, he declined that invitation, saying he didn't think it necessary for him to attend in person, but telling us that this was a priority for Government and that 'they will engage with you at the earliest opportunity'. Well, that was back in May; we're now in October with this letter drawing our intention, indeed, to a written statement on 24 July by none other than our former colleague Assembly Member Lord Nick Bourne, who made a statement on 24 July. And he did, in his statement, refer to the UK shared prosperity fund in the devolved nations, saying that the UK Government will:

'respect the devolution settlements...and will engage the devolved administrations to ensure the fund works for places across the UK.'

Unusual terminology in terms of the relations that we would—in terms of respect and negotiations between Welsh Government and UK Government. So, I would be grateful if the Finance Secretary could comment on this, comment on what has happened since that written statement was made,  and how and if the Welsh Government has been involved.

Now, I have brought together women's organisations to form the Women in Wales for Europe network, and one of the major concerns raised by a diverse range of organisations has been the future impact of funding decisions post Brexit, especially in relation to the UK shared prosperity fund. There are a lot of organisations in the third, public and private sectors who want to engage in this discussion about this new fund.

Would you accept the views and recommendations of the cross-party Finance Committee that EU structural funds have had a clear focus on promoting equality, addressing poverty, supporting human rights, with a significant amount of EU-supported projects focused on supporting women?