Well, Llywydd, I do definitely agree with what the Member said about the importance of local authorities. I'm glad that we were able to secure, in our discussions with the UK Government, belated as they were, a recognition that this reduced amount of money is best spent in Wales where local authorities co-operate on a regional basis and on the footprints that we have previously agreed with the UK Government. So, I think that's a step forward as well.

I'm pleased to say that, through our discussions, both with the Welsh Local Government Association and through the work that my colleague Huw Irranca-Davies does in leading committees in this area, that we are securing agreements with our local authority colleagues that the approach in Wales will not result in the elimination from the decision-making process of the voices that previously had been around the table at the programme monitoring committee. So, that is businesses, third sector organisations and universities. Previously, the funds that are said to be replaced by the shared prosperity fund would have been available to those sectors as well: the Business Wales scheme is funded in that way and is very important to businesses in Wales; £103 million secured previously for the third sector in Wales, and over £400 million used by higher education institutions in Wales from exactly those funds.

Now, the importance of local government is a point well made, but those other sectors are also very important in making sure that the funds that will come to Wales are spent to best effect, and I'm glad that, as a result of the discussions we have had with our local government colleagues, there are assurances that those voices will continue to be influential in the way bids and then funding proposals for the shared prosperity fund in Wales are developed.