On Wednesday last week, Lloyds Banking Group announced that they were closing their branch in Bargoed in my constituency. Previously, HSBC have pulled out, NatWest have closed their branch in Ystrad Mynach, and Barclays have closed their branch in Nelson. We are seeing a desertion of the northern Valleys by the commercial banks. Only a few weeks ago, we held, with the Welsh Government, in Bargoed, a business advice and support surgery for the community of Bargoed, not only to showcase what Bargoed can do but also to support those businesses that want to grow. So, this makes Lloyds's decision even more grimly ironic.

The Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee is currently exploring this very issue, and particularly a community bank. So, with that in mind, could he outline what benefit a community bank will have specifically for a community like Bargoed? Also, how will that community benefit be spread across the constituency? To also be clear: is this a Welsh Government policy, to support a community bank?