5. What is the Welsh Government doing to support innovative housing solutions in Wales? OQ56049

Thank you, Joyce. I committed in November to support of £35 million of investment to deliver 470 new innovative affordable homes, which adds to the 1,400 homes already funded under the innovative housing programme to date. That takes the total support over the last four years to over £125 million.

I want to very much welcome the Welsh Government's approach to that innovative housing programme, which this year has focused its funding on modern methods of construction. You've already said that £35 million of investment will go to local companies, and I think it's worth repeating that it's local companies and their supply chains, and that's a welcome boost during these uncertain times. And I'm even more pleased that a number of those are bringing much-needed work into my region during what is, undoubtedly, a challenging time. 

Minister, have you any idea how many training and apprenticeship opportunities you anticipate will be created with this programme, and, clearly, if you can't give me an exact answer now, I look forward to one in the near future. 

Thank you, Joyce. I know of your passion for getting apprentices into the construction industry and, in particular, a more diverse group of apprentices, including your championing of women in construction for many years. You'll know I share your enthusiasm to do that. 

I'm really pleased that the innovative housing programme has placed Wales at the vanguard of housing innovation and creativity within the UK. We're investing £45 million into the modular housing industry in Wales this year alone, which generates potentially hundreds of new local jobs and training opportunities with Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises and their local supply chains. Modern methods of construction—and I know you know this already—is a new industry that shows itself able to attract an increasingly diverse workforce, including encouraging more women and younger entrants into construction. It's new and better social housing, but it kick starts a whole new industry that plays an important role in the economic green recovery.

So, we expect that the materials and components used in this next generation of MMC homes will have a Welsh-first approach and preference is shown towards materials and labour so more—ah, got my tongue in a twist—materials and labour sourced locally within Wales, before seeking alternatives from the wider global economy. And we've been working really hard with the MMC providers through the innovative housing programme to both maximise the Welsh supply chain and the number of jobs and training opportunities that that supply chain generates locally as a result, so that the homes built locally will be built by local people for local people.