Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:54 pm on 18 January 2022.
What I think will be different this time is that I think we'll want to be able to come back to point out the improvement in the regional economy and what it means not just for jobs, but in terms of pay and conditions as well, because we're looking to see real change made. And I genuinely think that there is going to be a focus on the Heads of Valleys, not just because of the works that are being completed around some of the physical infrastructure that's there, but, actually, we've reached out and we're having conversations with the five local authorities in that area, as part of the city region around the capital, to understand how we get a deliberate focus on the Heads of the Valleys itself. And there are also choices about how Welsh Government can use some of the levers and influence we have too, because I do recognise that across the Heads of the Valleys we've not been able to see a significant shift forward in the economic prospects of communities across there. So, it's something that we have chosen to go out of our way to want to do. And actually, again, it builds a bit on the point I was making with Sam Rowlands, and, actually, local authorities have now been really constructive leaders, not just partners, in this area in the last few months, about looking to try to plot out a series of objectives where local authorities and the Welsh Government and the capital region could work together. Because I want things that are intensely practical, where you can demonstrate that jobs and opportunities are being created where they're needed, as opposed to—to use your phrase—more strategy. I'm much more interested in practical delivery with the resources we have.
And I do recognise, Deputy Llywydd, that I owe the Member a more detailed conversation about this. He's asked for one; I'd be very happy to have that conversation with him, because I recognise he'll keep on asking the same sorts of questions, and I think he's entitled to, because the constituency he represents needs an active Government on its side at the Welsh Government, UK level, and indeed his local authority too.