Thank you, Minister, for your statement. In 2017, local authorities warned at that time that they expected an increase in demand for housing with care over the next five years. In fact, your own Welsh Labour Government published a report on the evaluation of extra-care housing in Wales which noted, and I quote:

'The vast majority of local authorities'

—and that was 18 out of 22—

'expect an increase in demand for general needs housing for older people and the majority (16) expect demand for extra care housing to increase over the next five years.'

A similar profile of responses was forthcoming from housing associations, and the majority of local authorities, housing associations and extra-care scheme managers agreed that demand for extra care was outstripping supply. So, I suppose one has to ask, as we are the official opposition: why has the Welsh Government waited five years since the publication of the report to make the statement on this funding today?

I acknowledge that social housing grant funding previously made available by the Welsh Government has been important in driving some growth. In fact, as of 2017, three quarters of all schemes have been developed since the Welsh Government published guidelines and made ring-fenced funding available to support the development of extra-care schemes in 2006. So, do you think that it was a mistake to end housing with care's dedicated funding, and has this negatively impacted the number of such homes we have in Wales today? At present, according to an independent report prepared for the Welsh Government, there will be a shortfall of approximately 5,000 units in Wales by 2035.

Housing-with-care schemes are typically located in cities and towns, rather than rural areas, and this is despite 25.4 per cent of residents in rural counties in 2019 being the age of 65 or over, which is an increase from 16.6 per cent in the year 2000. The national survey for Wales has reported that three quarters of people aged over 65 report feeling lonely sometimes. A report published by the Associated Retirement Community Operators states that housing-with-care residents experienced lower levels of loneliness, with only 1 per cent of residents feeling isolated often. So, isn't that a model we should all be looking to work towards?

So, bearing in mind that loneliness and isolation can be at its worst in rural communities and that rural counties are seeing more ageing populations, what steps can you take, Minister, to see funding prioritised to support some development of schemes in our more rural areas? Such schemes in rural Wales could free up homes for the younger generation. It would also give a boost to the Welsh NHS.

A report has found that residents living in housing-with-care schemes see a reduction in frailty and falls within two years of living at their home, with improved exercise and fitness, and additionally, for those living in integrated retirement communities, costs for GP, nurse and hospital visits reduced by some 38 per cent. In Llanrwst, ClwydAlyn have Hafan Gwydir, an extra-care scheme with fantastic facilities, and that one actually has an adjoining health centre and an on-site GP surgery. So, do you agree with me, Minister, that planning authorities should now be encouraged to allocate land in our local development plans for housing-with-care developments, on fields next to or near GP practices, if they're unable to actually afford to be able to put that new service in place where it's more all singing, all dancing, and people can access medical needs as well?

And you'll be aware that tenants do have varying needs. For example, some require care support. In light of the ongoing care crisis with lack of staff, especially amongst the domiciliary home care providers, it is easier for them to have clients in one location instead of spreading out miles apart from each other. So, would you acknowledge that by providing funding to develop housing-with-care schemes, we could also alleviate some of the significant pressures on our overstaffed—no, not 'overstaffed' at all—our overstretched domiciliary care workers? And let's work together; it's having a more integrated housing-with-care system here in Wales. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and Minister. Thank you.