Thank you very much for that question, and thank you for your recognition of the importance of the £500 payment to the carers who will be eligible for it. I think that the point you raised is very important, because we know that unpaid carers did manage, in some cases, through the whole of the pandemic without having any additional support at all. In fact, some of them didn't take any support, because they were so anxious to look after their loved ones. I have been approached by a number of Members of the Senedd about their concern about the lack of the quick recommencing of the local services.

I'm very well aware of this situation, as are the officials, and we have approached the local authorities, in particular local authorities where we've been alerted to the fact that carers are aware that the services they used have not been reopened, particularly day services, and have urged them to do so. I'm aware that many of them have still not opened, so the officials have regular meetings with the directors of social services and we'll be continuing to urge them to reopen. I think we understand that local authorities and the staff have had a very tough time and many of them were redeployed to help carry out some of the essential services that have been needed during this period, but we do know, of course, that the support for unpaid carers is absolutely essential. The Welsh Government is trying to build in as much support as it possibly can with the hardship fund and with respite funding. It is crucial that we do get those services up and running again, so I can assure the Member that I will be redoubling my efforts to try and encourage local authorities to open those services. Thank you.