I'm quite dismayed at what I've heard today from the Minister and from his colleagues and others, and I fundamentally disagree with most elements of this motion today. I don't recognise that world that the Minister would have the country believe, and the Government scaremongering is not only wide of the mark, it looks to undermine confidence and promote fear across the country at a time when our communities and our economy need support and hope like never before. I'm so thankful that the UK Government are stepping in to offer that support. There is nothing to fear from the UK Government wanting to work closely with our country and its tiers of governance to help drive prosperity here and help get Wales back on its feet and in good shape for the future.

The issues for colleagues opposite is purely one of fear, of not having a direct influence on all that is delivered here. This is such a tired, negative mindset, one that has to be moved away from. I've seen, sadly, myself for many years—and it is many years—that devolution in Wales really means devolution to Cardiff Bay and absolutely no further. The motion mentions the WLGA's concerns about the level of available funding, and we respect their position—I absolutely respect their position and concern, and everybody wants some clarity around quantums and different things very soon. But there's one concept that the WLGA does agree about, and they've said it for years on years, and it's gone, obviously, not listened to here, and that's subsidiarity. They totally sign up to subsidiarity, and that means devolving decision making to the lowest possible level. That concept of real devolution seems to be alien to past Welsh Labour Governments, and possibly this one also.

None of us here, nor any other stakeholder, wants to see less funding coming to Wales than previously received. So, we agree that this is a hugely important point, and something my party will make sure that we speak up for if we felt there was a need to do so. But having said that, the UK Government—you've heard it again and again—has reiterated time after time, again and again, that the shared prosperity fund will at least match previous EU receipts, and I absolutely believe that. The levelling-up fund is offering real opportunities to shape communities on the ground. You will all know that, as we speak, bids are coming in from councils all across Wales, supported by their MPs and, I hope, their MSs, as we speak. They are falling on the doorsteps of Ministers. These bids that have to be in by this week demonstrate just how capable local authorities are at mobilising and rising to the occasion with their efforts working with the UK Government, and they will directly boost growth and spread opportunity to thousands of people across Wales. Likewise, the community renewal fund will provide an additional £220 million-worth of investment to support people and communities, both in need across Wales and the rest of the UK, and pave a way for the shared prosperity fund.

Llywydd, the shared prosperity fund when here, together with our levelling-up fund, will help to empower local communities by ensuring that funding is directed toward people's priorities. The Government here shouldn't fear this, but they should embrace this partnership approach. Different people, if allowed to hold the levers of power here in Wales, would have a different perspective of the UK Government support. I would see the opportunities being unlocked as an opportunity to strengthen the partnership we have in the UK, and an opportunity to change things for the better. Too often we hear people like my colleague here decry our UK relationship. It's time to move on.

Llywydd, the Welsh Affairs Committee said several things, as we've heard today, and one other thing they said is, and I quote:

'The switch to the Shared Prosperity Fund is an opportunity to reset and re-evaluate Wales’ economic priorities post-Brexit and post-COVID-19 and to develop a Shared Prosperity Fund that tackles the root causes of Wales’ economic underperformance.'

That's a strong statement. So, now is a time of opportunity and hope, a time to allow our country to flourish, and a time to work in unison at all levels to deliver for our people and give them what they need and deserve. So, I urge Members here to defeat this silly motion today, and join with me to support the Welsh Conservative amendment, and let's all move forward together. Thank you, Llywydd.