Diolch. Each November, as we pause for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, we are reminded of the tremendous bravery and sacrifices of our past and present armed forces and their families. It's a testament to that service and sacrifice that the motion before us was tabled with cross-party support and it's right that we collectively reflect and recognise our armed forces communities here today on Armistice Day. I'm pleased to be able to respond on behalf of the Welsh Government and it's a privilege to lead on our work to support those who have served and continue to serve in Wales.

Remembrance this year takes place under very different circumstances. At a time when everyone in Wales is being asked to make sacrifices, we remember the generations before us who made sacrifices—many the ultimate sacrifice—to keep us safe. The Royal British Legion led the campaign to encourage people to put poppies in their window and to join in with a collective act of remembrance marking the two-minute silence on our doorsteps. Local and national media have carried many superb stories of how people and communities have found safe and innovative ways to remember and also continue to raise funds for the poppy appeal.

When flicking through social media, I was moved to tears to spot a familiar figure, albeit in a face covering, in the background of a slimmed-down service in Connah's Quay, behind the Member for Alyn and Deeside. And I thank my colleague for his kind tribute to my great-uncle Tommy Oldfield, now aged 94, and a proud veteran of the D-day landings. Many of us here today also took the opportunity to mark the occasion appropriately in our own communities, and I was honoured to attend a small socially distanced service in Mold, outside St Mary's church, as well as paying my respects safely and separately in Holywell, Flint and Northop Hall.

Deputy Presiding Officer, it's right that we remember the scale and devastation that can be caused by conflict. World war two alone was one of the deadliest military conflicts in history that also saw many civilian lives cut short. The courageous sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom and gave their lives for our country must not be forgotten. This year, we've seen significant anniversaries. Whilst they may have been marked differently due to COVID-19, it by no means diminished our appreciation, recognition and respect.

We commemorated the eightieth anniversary of the battle of Britain and we also celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day. This year I was honoured and privileged to speak with veterans of the second world war and was moved and inspired by their experiences. One of these was Mr Ronald Jones. Despite injuries during the French invasion, Mr Jones, an ex-sergeant from the Second Platoon 17th Field Company of the Royal Engineers, bravely returned to operations on two separate occasions. Many of us will be aware of other similar remarkable stories, and we've heard those shared in contributions today—memories that should and must be shared and preserved for generations to come.

We are rightly proud of that remarkable generation that came before us, and I am proud of all that we are doing today in Wales to support our veterans and wider armed forces community, working together in common cause, through both the armed forces expert group and the cross-party group, collectively providing a voice for the armed force community.

Our annual report sets out the breadth of support available and the collaborative progress we have made, from the continued support of £700,000 a year for Veterans NHS Wales; providing £120,000 to tackle loneliness and social isolation, funding that has enabled Blesma to establish its brunch and digital inclusion project; championing the Supporting Service Children in Education, SSCE Cymru programme, which, in collaboration with the army in Wales, secured covenant trust funding for four regional school liaison officers; and I was pleased to be able to confirm an additional £275,000 per year for two years from 2021 to enable the excellent and instrumental armed forces liaison officers to continue in their roles. We continue to meet and work with our key stakeholders collectively, considering and resolving any issues that are identified. Working alongside the UK Government, we are supporting and participating in the veterans railcard scheme, enabling veterans and their family members to receive discounted travel across the UK.

We will always strive to go further in our support for those who have served and continue to serve and their families. That's why the Welsh Government has now introduced the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative within Government here, recognising the skills and abilities veterans bring to the workplace. On 30 November, I will be launching our 'Capitalising on Military Family Talent' document. Created in partnership with the Scottish Government and Business in the Community Cymru, the document is aimed at spouses and partners of serving personnel and sets out available employer support. Newly formed action groups have been set up to address matters relating to employment, transition, information and awareness, and finance, following our comprehensive armed forces scoping exercise. The groups are already meeting and making progress and include representatives from organisations that support veterans and their families.

Whilst the remembrance period naturally offers the chance to pay tribute to past service, it would be remiss of me not to take the opportunity today to pay tribute to current members of our armed services, who this year have stepped up and stepped in to support our communities and our country as we faced the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Their assistance has been integral to supporting our NHS and the most vulnerable in our communities by providing vital expertise, knowledge and skills to help tackle COVID-19, but we know that their contribution goes much further, and this Government recognises not simply the primary role our armed forces play, but the broader social and economic benefits they bring to the communities in which they're situated. 

We welcome the establishment of Academi Heddwch Cymru, and we should always strive for peaceful resolutions and recognise the role our armed forces have played in peacekeeping operations around the world. Peace, like progress, is not inevitable. We've come so far in progressing our work in this area and, by continuing to work in partnership in Wales, we will build on our support for those who have served and those who continue to serve. We will not forget, we will remember, and we will always support our armed forces community. Diolch yn fawr.