9. Will the First Minister make a statement on providing sufficient quality housing in Wales? (OAQ51177)

One of the changes that I’ve been most proud of over the past 20 years is that the standard of public housing now is as good, if not better, than some private houses—there was a time, of course, when council houses could be distinguished by the fact that they were often built to a lower standard than anywhere else—and that is something that we can be proud of. The Welsh housing quality standard is hugely important in terms of securing improvements to existing homes and, of course, together with the building regulations, they help us to deliver better affordable homes for people for the future.

Can I thank the First Minister for that response? Of course, council houses were built to a very high standard until the Conservatives did away with the Parker Morris standards.

Can I say that some of the more enlightened tenants and councils in Wales supported council housing stock staying in council hands? What support will the Welsh Government give councils such as the City and County of Swansea that are starting to build council houses once again?

Well, he and I have been on site, of course, at sites in Swansea where council homes are being built. Local housing authorities were invited to submit bids for funding support under the new innovative housing programme, which promotes innovation in housing construction techniques, design, delivery, and, of course, money is being made available through the affordable housing grant. But I very much congratulate Swansea council on the leadership that they have shown in building council houses once again.

Finally, question 10, Sian Gwenllian.