Diolch, Llywydd. I wish to make it clear from the outset that this is a probing amendment, designed to ensure the maximum possible plurality for the social partnership council. It's not designed to slight anyone, nor any organisation. It is submitted in good faith to ensure that the voices heard as part of the new and influential council are drawn from as wide a pool as possible. This amendment would therefore place a statutory duty on the First Minister to seek nominations for worker representatives on the social partnership council that are not affiliated with the TUC.

As I've stated previously at committee stage, our calls for worker representation on the social partnership council that extend beyond TUC-affiliated unions is not designed to cast doubt on the vital contribution of the TUC in advancing the rights of workers in Wales. Indeed, we have excellent relationships with the TUC, and long may that continue. We are glad that the Bill contains provisions to ensure that the TUC has a strong voice in shaping the future course of social partnership. Rather, as Plaid Cymru has emphasised through the progression of this Bill, in order to truly realise the benefits of tripartite engagement on social partnership and, in particular, to move towards a progressive high-road model of industrial relations, we must ensure that the composition of the social partnership council is reflective of the diversity of labour representation here in Wales. We firmly believe that guaranteeing a seat at the table for non-TUC bodies such as the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association—both huge and influential trade unions in their own right—will enrich the outlook of the social partnership council and enhance its potential to deliver the goals in the interests of a broad section of Welsh society. 

Since we first brought this matter forward, I'm pleased to say that I've had very productive meetings with the Deputy Minister, who has given assurances that, while the inclusion of a statutory duty of this nature will not be possible, the TUC has nevertheless provided written guarantees to put forward nominations to the SPC on behalf of the whole trade union membership in Wales. I've also engaged with the TUC directly for further clarification on the matter. They concur wholeheartedly with the general principle that the SPC should include a wide spectrum of trade union representation. They've also explained that, in line with similar arrangements in place for the workforce partnership council, they will endeavour to establish an SPC union secretariat, consisting of all registered trade unions in Wales who wish to be members. We are very grateful for these assurances.

In light of that, is the Deputy Minister prepared to go on the record in the Siambr to confirm that the nomination process to the SPC will function in this way? And can she provide assurances to trade unions not affiliated to the TUC so that concerns around the nomination process can be allayed? If concerns can be addressed sufficiently, we will happily withdraw this amendment. Diolch yn fawr.