Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move those amendments in the name of Darren Millar. 

I'd like to thank the Deputy Minister for his update on the progress of the Valleys taskforce and also for his earlier update sent by e-mail to Members this afternoon; I haven't had time to look at that in great detail. I would like to reiterate the Welsh Conservatives' support for the Valleys taskforce. I think that—. It's correct to say that I think the taskforce area makes up nearly 30 per cent of the population of Wales, and for hundreds of years this area has been the beating heart of the Welsh economy. I think it's therefore vital that we do not let down the descendants of those who were so essential in powering the industrial revolution and making Wales the home of the first £1 million contract. A lot has changed, sadly, and the Valleys areas have not been able to adapt to the changing world. I think politicians of all parties have let down the Valleys at times and we must put that right to ensure that the people who live in the Valleys have the same opportunities, the same standard of living, decent housing and the ability to achieve more than they thought possible. That is why in today's debate we should be critical of the response so far but also supportive of the proposals as long as they have the impact of improving the lives of people in the Valleys and their children, as they are, and, of course, will be the future of Wales.

Our first amendment today is to make it clear that the best way to improve people's lives, not just in the Valleys but, of course, across Wales, is through providing long-term employment opportunities. It is a concern that since the taskforce was created less than 2,000 economically inactive people have been helped into work through the Welsh Government-led employment programmes. The target, of course, is 7,000 by 2021. I'll be interested if the Minister in his concluding comments can confirm that that is a target he still believes will be reached.

Our other amendment is also in regard to having more ambition. We do believe that there should be more ambition in the 'Our Valleys, Our Future' plan. The Government I think really does need to deliver better on joined-up public transport that people can afford. I'm sure that perhaps the Deputy Minister would agree with that statement; he did talk about that in his opening comments. But I think it's particularly important to look at how fares are calculated in terms of bus journeys, because there do seem to be some perhaps unfair and not-comparable rates if you look at the bus timetables and the distances travelled in parts of Wales.

And let's not, of course, forget—I can't go without saying this; I disappointingly have to say it, but we look at the summer as well, and the trains from Cardiff back home into the Valleys. If the trains aren't cramped with people squashed in like sardines, they're delayed. So, what I'd say is: how can people who want to get on in life and provide for their families—how can that happen? How can that be achieved when hurdles such as these are put in front of them?

With an increase of 40 per cent in the number of empty homes in Wales, I am keen to see the success of empty homes being brought back into use. I agree with the Deputy Minister's comments in regard to the negative impact it has when you have empty properties across a community and the blight that is attached to that. I am concerned to the extent that the £10 million that the Deputy Minister mentioned in his opening comments will go to make sure that this project is a success for businesses and homes.

And I'll conclude, Deputy Presiding Officer, by welcoming, of course, the £600 million for the Welsh block grant for next year and would, of course, urge the Welsh Government to spend this additional money on the Welsh NHS, but more importantly ensuring that the extra £195 million for schools this year is spent directly on schools so that the funding gap that currently exists between Wales and England can disappear.