Thank you to the Government for tabling today's debate, with contributions so far certainly impassioned around a very important issue, around the UK levelling-up and shared prosperity funds.

The insinuation, of course, in this debate today from Welsh Government is that the UK Government's approach to this fund does not guarantee that Wales will not be a penny worse off and represents a clear assault on Welsh devolution. As my friend Mr Davies stated, this simply is not true. The Conservative manifesto for the 2019 general election stated that the shared prosperity fund would match or exceed the amount of structural funds received in each of the four UK nations, and that's exactly what is happening. The UK Conservative Government has committed to matching these previous contributions. And, again, the Welsh Government specifically mention an assault on devolution, and as debated last week, equally as passionately, in this Chamber, the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 has guaranteed more powers into Wales, not fewer powers.

Now, what we should be celebrating is actually, now that we are out of the European Union, we can go above and beyond the limits of previous schemes and we can help local people and local issues. In fact, the structural funding can now see quicker delivery of funding, better targeting of places and people in need, and better alignments with domestic priorities, rather than the EU-wide priority areas for funding. 

I want to take a moment to focus on the role of local authorities and the opportunities that they have to make a difference through this funding. In my question this morning to the First Minister, the First Minister praised the role of local authorities and the work that they carried out during the pandemic. And I know from my experience and other Members' experience in the room here today that the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that council staff have shown through the pandemic, and elected members have undertaken, has shown what local authorities can deliver, and we should be welcoming these proposals for local authorities and celebrating the exceptional work that they carry out and can carry out through the further devolution of this funding.

Indeed, we all seem to have referenced the Welsh Affairs Committee at the end of May this afternoon, but local authority leaders there welcomed the role that they'll be playing, and most of them certainly have welcomed the funding coming from the UK Government. And we know—[Interruption.] You selected them, too, Mr Davies, you selected them too. We know that many of the electorate have an outstanding relationship with their local councillors and local democracy. And, remember, 53 per cent of people in Wales elected to come out of the European Union and expect a Government to deliver on that promise.

Finally on this point, the First Minister, of course, also this morning said that more powers for local authorities to make decisions that are right for their local areas and for their populations, supporting that local authorities should have a bigger say on what happens—. Isn't the truth, Llywydd, that this motion today and this debate has really shown that the Welsh Labour Government are not happy because these powers are not being devolved to them, but rather are being devolved down to local authorities? And, once again, COVID-19 has shown what local authorities can deliver and we should be confident in their delivery of this funding.

To conclude, Llywydd, it's time for the Government to work in collaboration with the UK Government and local authorities to level up funding across Wales. I urge all Members to reject the Government's motion, support our Conservative amendment and, most importantly, celebrate the fantastic work carried out by local authorities and welcome the opportunity for local councils to create the environment for their residents and businesses to flourish. Diolch yn fawr iawn.