Firstly, I would like to welcome the statement. I've said a number of times in the Chamber that we need to have a long-term vision and strategy for the Welsh economy, and I'm particularly pleased to see that there is a focus on the brain drain.

I would say, however, that I don't feel like this is starting the conversation. The conversation on the brain drain has been going on for what feels like a decade or more. 'A Strategy for Rural Wales', written by the Welsh Council 50 years ago in 1971, for example, discussed the need to address the outmigration of young people from rural Wales. In 2017, Adam Price brought up his concerns with the brain drain occurring in Wales, noting how Wales was tenth out of the 12 UK regions in terms of the extent of graduate loss, and I remember my predecessor Bethan Sayed asking several questions around it. I hope the Minister would forgive me for saying that it would seem like the Welsh Government is playing catch-up on this topic.

I would like to ask the Minister to what extent he has already looked at this issue and whether or not he has looked at the example set by Scotland. And would he be supportive of making alterations to the student finance system to create incentives for talent to stay in Wales? I have to say as well that I always worry when I see loose terminology in statements. For example, 

'exploring how we retain our graduates and talent...by building strong linkages with universities, and between universities and businesses'.

It's admirable, but there's no real commitment here from the Welsh Government at all. So, I would hope that we will see some meat on the bones sooner rather than later. My party, in this field, committed in our manifesto in the last election to establishing a pilot project to test the feasibility of tracking and keeping in touch with young people who leave Wales for higher education or initial employment to ensure that they are kept abreast with ongoing opportunities at home and to create a database of diaspora talent. Would the Minister commit to implementing this policy?

Point 7 in the Welsh Government's approach to moving the Welsh economy forward includes ensuring that

'we have firms...in Wales who can provide future opportunities'.

I'm glad that the Government recognises that, if they really want to provide future opportunities for all in Wales, they would need to ensure that the firms providing these opportunities are those whose structure rewards workers and the local community more than the traditionally structured firm would. The current system of greed, opportunity and profiteering for the few will not eradicate poverty in Wales or move the economy forward. If we change nothing, we do not move; we remain stagnant.

A team Wales approach, built by all of us, must take priority, and the Government should look at focusing on co-operatives and employee ownership. As I said, I'm glad that the Minister recognises this. It is widely acknowledged that co-operative models have a critical role to play, in not only combating poverty but sustaining economic growth. Would the Welsh Government consider working on an economic development Bill for Wales, with co-operatives and small and medium-sized enterprises at its core, in light of this?

Finally, Llywydd, we welcome point 8 in the Welsh Government's approach to moving the Welsh economy forward, through highlighting the opportunities available through remote working and flexible commuting. Wales should strive to foster inclusive economic growth, and the Welsh Government should support employers to continue offering remote and flexible working, as this is one way to tackle the disability employment gap. In 2020, the employment rate for disabled people was only 53.7 per cent, compared to 82 per cent for non-disabled people. This is not only detrimental on an individual level, but also detrimental to society. When the economy is inclusive, there is a greater productivity and a more diverse exchange of ideas and innovation.

For years prior to the pandemic, disability activists had been pushing and advocating for greater flexibility and remote working, and they were often met with pushback. Yet lockdown has shown that these changes can be made, and very quickly too. Therefore, could I ask the Minister to outline how exactly he will look to help encourage continued remote and flexible working? And I would hope that we will see a commitment to a four-day work week, for example, in the near future. As I have already said, I'm glad for the Minister and his engagement on this, but we have a long way to go still if we are to take the Welsh economy to a more sustainable and equitable level.