Thank you for your statement, Deputy Minister, and I welcome the Welsh Government's renewed commitment to our town centres. Empty shops are discouraging to potential shoppers and, when empty, can be vandalised, particularly late at night, making the town a no-go area. There are many empty shops in our town centres across Wales, and I therefore welcome the Welsh Government's town-centre-first approach.

As a former retailer, I take a particular interest in the revitalisation of our town centres with regular bus services to encourage shoppers, because lack of such services and the decreasing number of such services impacts negatively on the town. And whilst I accept that not all empty properties will be filled by retail, we have to try and encourage small independent retailers to set up shop, as it were.

A much higher proportion of revenue is recycled into the local community through small businesses than through their larger counterparts. Without small, independent retailers our high streets are at risk of becoming either empty shells or smaller versions of our out-of-town retail parks. And if we want to retain the character of our high streets, from Bridgend to Bangor, from Connah's Quay to Cowbridge, then we have to act now.

One in every eight retail unit is currently empty and the Welsh economy is lagging behind the other UK nations, and the outlook for the high street is not looking great. High street retailers are struggling with increasing rents and business rates, at the same time as facing increasing competition from online and out-of-town retailers, who have lower costs often, as well as free parking. Therefore, Deputy Minister, can you outline how you're working with the economy Minister and the finance Minister to address the issue of rising costs of doing business?

You have said in your statement that you will take firm and final action against owners of empty properties who refuse to co-operate. So, can you please outline what that action will look like? There can be multiple reasons, as we know, for empty properties, Deputy Minister. As the Welsh Government are taking a tough stance with private business owners, will you practice what you preach and bring back into use all those empty properties owned by the Welsh Government?

Finally, Deputy Minister, this initiative is the latest measure from your Government aimed at improving our town centres, so what assurances can you give my constituents that it won't be beset by the problems of earlier schemes, schemes that operated in isolation and were not subject to scrutiny? How can the people of my region be assured that towns like Neath, Pontardawe and Bridgend will receive genuine support? Thank you.