And thank you for acknowledging the role and increasing workload, Sarah Murphy, that Citizens Advice and Shelter have experienced in Bridgend. That will be reflected across all constituencies here today across Wales. But it is important to see, and as Sioned Williams said, that this is an exacerbation of inequalities that we've seen as a result of the pandemic. And it's good to see a credit union branch opening in Kenfig Hill.

We know a lot of people are not claiming what they're entitled to. That's why our recently launched second national 'Claim what's yours' welfare benefit take-up campaign is important. Our first campaign helped people to claim over £650,000 of extra income. And I do want to build on the excellent communications campaign. Thank you for acknowledging it, Jenny Rathbone, in terms of that sort of different way of reaching out: social media. It's very important, as Jane Dodds has said, in terms of reaching that younger generation, the generation precariat who are so at risk, but also diminishing the stigma that has been so associated with debt and encouraging people to seek advice on their entitlements—that's the key point; it's their entitlements—before they escalate to a crisis.

And I know that debt owed to the public sector creditors, including local authorities, with council tax, is a growing concern. Heledd, you've mentioned that today, and I'm pleased that work is under way to review the council tax protocol for Wales. It's there in our response to your recommendation. It will include exploring how successful the protocol has been in supporting vulnerable debtors, and it's very good that you had this inquiry to look into this. I mean, during 2021, we provided £22.6 million to cover some of the shortfall in council tax income due to those lower collection rates, and we are assisting with losses and also help to fund for the additional demand that's coming forward for council tax reduction as a result of COVID as well.

So, it's important that we don't underestimate the financial challenges being faced by households due to the rising costs of their energy bills, and addressing energy costs through measures like the price cap sits outside devolved competence, but we are raising these issues with the UK Government. Julie James and I wrote to the Secretary of State, Kwasi Kwarteng, today; I'm sharing that letter so that you can see what we've been calling for. Our plan to tackle fuel poverty was published in March 2021 and there are 10 short-term actions to be delivered by March 2023. We are making progress on all of these. And, of course, the Warm Homes programme, and I've already mentioned 67,000 households benefiting from home energy efficiency measures. So, I do welcome the inquiry into fuel poverty—that direct focus—and the Warm Homes programme that you'll shortly be holding. And please do share any emerging themes with us as you move through that inquiry.

Accessing high-interest credit is another key contributor to being in problem debt, as you've raised, yet many people believe they have no alternative other than borrowing from a high-cost lender. It is therefore important that we encourage people to access credit unions, and that's why I've made £60,000 available for credit unions to promote their services throughout Wales this winter.

Finally, inequalities in our society have been exacerbated by the pandemic, compounded by the inaction of the UK Government to address the very real and very grave cost-of-living crisis. The financial pressures that face households across Wales will now intensify, due to the combined impact of UK Government policy decisions to end the universal credit uplift and significant cost of living increases. And, yes, there is, Altaf Hussain, a clear link between health inequalities and debt. The costs of food and fuel are soaring and Senedd Members have made powerful contributions today.

So, in conclusion, I thank the committee for having the foresight to undertake this timely inquiry. I look forward to playing my part in making sure that the report's recommendations are implemented, as they will help shape and improve policy, and help prevent debt as well as support people in debt. This is a key issue for social justice and equality for this Welsh Government and for this Senedd and your committee, and your report will help Wales to respond effectively and robustly to tackle these deep income inequalities in Wales. Diolch.