Thank you, Deputy Minister. You describe the proposals in the White Paper as long-term solutions, and I think we're all looking for a long-term solution, yet it does fail to address what is arguably the biggest problem: finance. Yes, you have noted your inter-ministerial group on paying for social care, however, how much further on are you since the publication of Gerald Holtham's independent report 32 months ago?

You'll be aware that, in my previous portfolio, I held many social care forums and, from those, you really get everything coming forward from those who are working in social care. You have also previously hinted, or there's been innuendo, around the introduction of a social care tax. What is your position on that now? I think I've always made it very clear that I would prefer to see a social care efficiency inquiry undertaken, because lots of stakeholders have always maintained that, actually, there is lots of money in certain areas, but actually getting it out to where the wider need is is not always possible. So, sadly, the White Paper does raise even more questions than answers.

You were looking for a national framework, but despite exploring integration, you state that no current functions will be transferred from local authorities or health boards. Why? Frustratingly, despite the concerns about regional partnership boards being well known—and in our inquiry, we found many weaknesses—you wish to strengthen them further, so what work have you done on this to actually justify that being where you think the message can be carried out from? How can you justify this when your own White Paper states, and I quote,

'RPBs ability to meet their responsibilities could be regarded as limited' and

'RPBs are concerned about managing a diverse cohort of need across localities'.

It is also explained that a national office for social care would deliver the framework. So, as I hope you'll agree, this should be independent of Government. Can you make that commitment to us today?

Whilst you have outlined the problems that unpaid carers face, you do need to clarify how the framework will improve their lives. And over the next 10 years, it is estimated that Wales will need 20,000 extra social care workers to cope with our ageing population. Therefore, will you be publishing a specific social care workforce plan that includes fresh ideas and a holistic approach to retention, and one that champions continuous professional development to go alongside the White Paper? The Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru noted in December very specifically that one call would be that those pressures continue to be recognised and, clearly, assisting care homes to remain viable during this. Sadly, we've seen so many care homes lose beds or indeed themselves having disappeared.

So, evidence shows that there is much more that your Welsh Government can do. In fact, only yesterday, Care Forum Wales warned that care homes across north Wales will be forced to close unless an emergency funding scheme, the hardship fund, is extended. So, will you be extending that? And can I reasonably conclude that you will look again and perhaps start to bring forward some solutions that really do address the present problems in this sector and those that we've all known about for quite some time? Thank you. Diolch.