Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:22 pm on 28 September 2021.
Minister, I know you recently met with the Industrial Communities Alliance to discuss their concerns about the shared prosperity and levelling-up funds, funds that are so important to the economic future of constituencies like mine, the Cynon Valley. The ICA have long argued that any funding from the schemes must be both long term and sustainable if it is to deliver transformative change. Would you agree with me that this is a clear message that needs to be sent from this Senedd and listened to by the UK Ministers? And furthermore, Minister, would you agree with me that it is a very worrying signal that local government has been deleted from the title of the UK Government department that is now responsible for levelling up?