Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:32 pm on 14 September 2021.
Well, Llywydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor has raised a series of important questions that are evidently relevant to the part of Wales that he represents, and he's also drawn on evidence from abroad. There are a number of examples from abroad that are relevant to the position here in Wales—for example, there is what some of the political parties are arguing in Switzerland, and likewise in Canada currently in the same field.
I agree with what Mabon ap Gwynfor has said, and I can give an assurance that we will be increasing the number of houses available for rent and as social housing. And it's important that we all collaborate with local communities, because sometimes there are communities where there is a shortage of houses available and some people do not welcome plans to build more houses in that area. So, there's work for us all to do to try to persuade people of the importance of constructing more houses, more social housing, and to give local people more opportunity to purchase and to rent houses and to remain in their locale. And by collaborating with the local authorities, and also by having cross-party collaboration, I am confident that ideas will be forthcoming in Wales, practical ideas that will give more opportunities for local people.