But we are clear in our ambition for an economic recovery that builds a fairer, greener and more prosperous Wales. And the Member was right to highlight the investment in the Tech Valleys programme, which is a part of that vision, and it is gaining traction; it's seeing more results. I was recently at the Thales facility, and others, and the Member noticed that I was there. I was very pleased to have his endorsement of my visit to his constituency. But to see what then happens to build on that, not just for the one project, but for the opportunities for other businesses, and the point the Member makes about having hubs to draw people together in activity.

And in the same leaf, the First Minister also met with representatives from CiNER Glass Limited, who are looking to create a significant employment opportunity, again within Blaenau Gwent. And it's true, of course, they'll be physically based in Blaenau Gwent, but the travel-to-work area means there'll be people from outside the county borough, and the Member's constituency, who we would expect to be employed there. Now, that will not only bring the jobs to the area, it will look to use technology to help meet the Welsh Government's own climate change targets and will also be an investment in the circular economy.

On Monday this week I met with chief executives and political leaders from the five local authorities who make up the Heads of the Valleys area to discuss our shared ambition and how we together translate those into joint priorities for action. And the meeting was a positive one; it hasn't always been the case. If you think about 10 years ago, getting five local authorities and the Government in the same room together to agree on a project, and to agree that we are going to use our respective levers to do something positive—and again, that doesn't mean to say those conversations never happened, but I think we are now in a better place to see that translate into reality, which is the main point the Member makes: not just objectives, but then, will we deliver on the outcomes that we look to set ourselves as well?

So, this is about also seizing the opportunity to re-energise and redesign many of our town centres and high streets across the Valleys, and the good news is that whilst we recognise there's a lot to challenge, there are also opportunities of where that's already been done successfully. There are opportunities to learn from what has already worked. And we recognise town centres as an intersection in human life and activity, and the need to secure long-term sustainability and the importance of a sense of place for where people live in having a thriving town centre or high street.

So, our 'town centre first' approach is embedded within our planning framework, 'Future Wales', and it means town centres should be the first consideration for all decisions on the location of workplaces and services. It's something I took seriously in my former role as a health Minister: part of the reason why we looked to invest in high-street optometry and pharmacy. And so, the Transforming Towns programme is providing £136 million to support the economic and social recovery of town centres and cities in Wales, with £3 million of Transforming Towns funding being approved for the Member's constituency alone, supporting over £8 million of investment across the county. However, we recognise that town centres face many challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Now, I note what the Member had to say about the regional park, and the point of investing in people and place and not just seeing success in terms of job numbers but, actually, whether it's a good place to live. Are people not just proud of where they are from, but do people want to stay there? Can you be successful in that place and not feel the need to move out and move on? So, the Valleys regional park is still something very much that we want to see become successful, and I know the Member will want to keep on talking with me and my deputy about that.

The growing use of digital technology and more flexible working opens up the opportunity for us to put new footfall and energy back into the hearts of many smaller Valleys communities. That's why this Government will continue to invest in and support co-working hub pilots across a number of Valleys communities.

And I recognise what the Member had to say about Zip World Tower in Hirwaun and the importance of tourism. Visit Wales has worked hard on promoting the Valleys, and 60 per cent of the locations featured within Visit Wales's contents are within the Valleys area. And I should say that I visited Zip World, and it was—my note says that I should be delighted; I was actually rather exhilarated in coming down, and it was a great day out, and I'd happily go again with my son. And so, there's the point there about wanting to go back again and again and again. I can honestly say that, during the difficult business of looking to get myself and other people re-elected—some elected for the first time—I've seen more of Valleys communities and recognise that there is real potential. I too want to see more people enjoying that as a regular part of life as well.

I want to finish by recognising that there are strengths and opportunities for us to build on. There are definitely challenges to recognise and tackle for our local economies to be at the heart of our approach to place-based economic renewal. I look forward to doing so by working with the Member and with the combination of challenge and support that he will bring in doing so, together with other Valleys representatives. So, the conversation is not finished in terms of where we are today; there are many more points for us to make decisions on to make a real difference. And our focus must and will be on the outcomes and how we make a practical difference with and for the people the Member represents and it's my privilege to serve too.