Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Could I begin by thanking both Vikki and Mick for their contributions this afternoon? Many of the issues facing our Valleys communities are deep-seated and longstanding, as outlined by Vikki in her speech. They are the result of generational changes and will take time to reverse, and part of the challenge is to think about how we can futureproof our economy for the challenges of tomorrow.

This Government signified the importance of the old coalfield communities when, in 2016, it established the ministerial taskforce for the south Wales Valleys under the leadership of my good friend Alun Davies, the Member for Blaenau Gwent. I remember many conversations at that time with Alun about the role of education, lifelong learning and skills, and I will touch upon aspects of my portfolio later on in my remarks.

The broad aim of the taskforce was to lead a long-term piece of work to deliver real change by creating good quality jobs closer to people's homes, improving people's skills and bringing prosperity to all, with local communities and local people at the heart of that work, finding solutions for themselves rather than having solutions imposed upon them. It wanted to build on the strengths of the Valleys, including its unique and breathtaking natural surroundings—and of course, Deputy Presiding Officer, I see that every day as I travel down from Brecon to the Senedd.

What many people perhaps will fail to realise is that, even in my own constituency, which many people would regard as a rural constituency, actually, I have ex-coal-mining communities in Brecon and Radnorshire in the upper reaches of the Swansea valley, in places like Ystradgynlais and Coelbren and Abercrave. But we are aware that, within that beauty, there is still the challenge of renewal, of economy, of culture, of democracy and debate. I know that the current Deputy Minister is adamant that we also include the environment, the culture and green spaces in this work, as they have the potential to boost community well-being in the widest possible sense.

If I can now turn to specifics of investment, the Deputy Minister has announced funding worth £650,000 in Caerphilly. Williams Medical Supplies, for instance, will see 91 new jobs created in Rhymney. This funding has secured and created really good employment opportunities, and the company has shown its commitment to our economic contract and invested in improving its green credentials. William Hare Ltd, an international company that engineers steel solutions for innovative construction projects worldwide, are putting in over £10 million for the acquisition and the development of their Risca site, with the Welsh Government providing £350,000 to support the company's plans. This will result in the creation of 100 new jobs over the next two years, alongside the expansion of facilities, improved manufacturing capabilities, more apprenticeships and using local suppliers, which will be a real boost to the foundational economy, which, as Vikki rightly said, is hugely important.

And a key part of our approach to enabling long-term change is the Tech Valleys programme. Our aim was to encourage the adoption of digital technologies and developing high-value advanced technologies that support cutting-edge industries. Now, it's true to say that the global slow down in the automotive industry in particular has meant that progress has not been as extensive as we would have hoped. Two key strands for the future delivery of the Tech Valleys programme have been identified: (1) to continue to attract and develop cutting-edge global technology organisations and (2) to assist existing local businesses to improve their processes, apply technology, and to develop higher-value products and diversify their customer base so that they are futureproofed.