Can I also thank Dai Lloyd today for his contribution and the very, very keen interest and commitment that he has shown to this important area of policy concern for Welsh Government? I'm sure that Dai Lloyd also believes, as I do, that equality of outcome for everyone sits at the heart of everything that we do, and should do, and that our ambitions for Welsh society are ambitions rooted in equality and equality of opportunity for all.

I think it's fair to say, in reflecting on the leadership role that Dai Lloyd himself has taken in this field in recent years, that whilst Welsh Government can provide national leadership, and politicians in this Chamber can provide national leadership, action at a local level is absolutely essential to really make a difference for individuals in their day-to-day lives. And action at a local level can include the sort of advice that Careers Wales and schools themselves are able to offer young learners.

Dai Lloyd has raised principally three important points. One: 'Action on disability', the framework and the plan, with specific regard to people who are deaf. Secondly, the role that Careers Wales has in offering one-to-one advice and support to individuals. And then thirdly, Dai Lloyd also referenced the 'Inclusive Apprenticeships: Disability Action Plan for Apprenticeships 2018-21', which is something that is making a considerable difference in terms of creating opportunities. And that's shown in the latest figures, which, for 2017-18, demonstrates that around 6 per cent of learners on apprenticeship learning programmes self-identified as having a primary disability and/or a learning difficulty, and that proportion has increased year on year since 2012-13. Back in 2012, the figure was something in the order of 3 per cent, so it's doubled in the space of five or so years.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I'll commit today to publish in February of next year the official statistics that will reflect on 2018-19, and it's my hope, it's my belief, as well, that those figures will show further improvement. And I think it's fair to say, as a result of the hard work that's been undertaken to date, we are making excellent progress on the plan, but we should not take our foot off the gas, and we will ensure that that plan continues to be delivered. 

In terms of 'Action on disability', well, the framework requires us to work towards removing barriers that prevent not only people from getting into work, but also prevent people from remaining in work—not only physical obstacles in buildings, in towns and the countryside, but also, importantly, the hurdles and the blockages created by structures and organisations' policies and, indeed—and probably most important of all—people's attitudes. And the framework is accompanied by an action plan. That highlights the main actions currently being undertaken or led by Welsh Government, and is designed to be kept up to date to reflect changing circumstances and new developments. And I would be more than happy to engage with Dai Lloyd with regard to support that can be offered to individuals who are deaf.

Turning to the role that Careers Wales has in offering support, and, in particular, advice to learners, within the existing resources—and Dai Lloyd questioned the resource available through Careers Wales—we have approximately 30 full-time equivalent staff who are dedicated specifically to working with customers with ALN and their families. Support to this particular customer group includes face-to-face support through group work and careers interviews. It draws up learning and skills plans for individuals and their families, and it also offers support at transition points, and also advocacy.

In terms of the outcomes, as a consequence of the advice and support that is offered, the latest statistics show that 3,365 transition reviews were undertaken by careers advisers and that they agreed just over 1,000 learning and skills plans for those moving from school, identifying the education and training needs of young people and the support required to meet those needs. I hope that these figures, including those figures concerning inclusive apprenticeships, demonstrate that we are making progress. But ultimately, Dirprwy Lywydd, if we are to reduce the gap in terms of pay and the gap in employment rates between the UK and Wales, we need to redouble our efforts.