I do thank you, Minister, for your words, and I, too, on behalf of the Welsh Conservative group, absolutely support the ambition to enhance our older people's rights through the raising of awareness and, more, to see this aim manifested in real policy improvement. I have the immense privilege of serving Wales's older people twice over, both as the Welsh Conservative older people's champion and also in my capacity as the Assembly Member for the beautiful constituency of Aberconwy, possessing as it does the highest number of over-65s in Wales.
It is on this basis that I know at first hand the immense benefit that our older people bring to communities the length and breadth of Wales. It is so often Wales's older and, I reckon, wiser generation that forms the bedrock of our voluntary associations, altruistically devoting their post-retirement years for the benefit of the charitable sector. Moreover, it is undoubtedly the community-mindedness of this age group also that keeps our local infrastructure ticking over, taking on the responsible task of securing improvements in our neighbourhoods and communities that they and we live in and that they care about. We often underestimate the value this population bring in reducing pressure on our state-run services, providing perhaps the largest free childcare service to hard-working parents across Wales.
Now, I was privileged, over the past seven years, to work with Sarah Rochira, our outgoing older people's commissioner, and I am aware that she will be a tough act to follow. But having said that, I am greatly looking forward to working closely with our new older people's commissioner, Heléna Herklots CBE, who I will be delighted to welcome to the second of my own ageing well events for my constituents in November. I have every confidence that her extensive background, advancing older people's rights with Age Concern and Carers UK, will steer policy to ensure that our society does even more to enhance the rights and entitlements of older people. I have been delighted to see the celebrations of these throughout international older people's day, and hope that we can do even more every day to enhance these.
We all know of the dangers that ageism can present to the rights of older people in the workplace. The Business Wales employers guide is a positive step towards combatting such attitudes in our economy, but can you tell me further: what further funding is being introduced for the retraining of older people across the piece, and for people from various backgrounds, so that they can continue making such a vital contribution to our economy? We always talk about loneliness and social isolation; what is better than getting people back into work where they can meet their peers and their working comrades? That to me is a two-edged sword that, really, we need to be using in their favour. So, I thank you again, Minister, and I look forward to working with you as we proceed in this regard. Thank you.