As I said earlier on, we are launching Creative Wales this evening, and although every industry in Wales contributes in a vital way to our society, the creative industries have a unique way of contributing. Not only do creative industries create jobs and wealth as part of the economy, like other industries, but it also contributes to creating an identify and national brand for Wales on the international stage. And promoting that brand, identity and the culture of Wales raises Wales’s profile on the global stage.

I know that the Minister responsible for international relations and her department are very eager for us to collaborate and to do so with the education Minister too, on that part of our work, because it’s a direct way for us to contribute. As with other similarly sized nations, we can use our culture to celebrate not just our own identity, but to contribute that unique culture beyond our borders.

It’s also important, as Rhianon said, to repeat the fact that the creative industries sector is a very important business; it has grown faster than any other similar sector over the past few years. And, as we heard, the direct contribution made by the creative industries to the Welsh economy is significant with around £2.2 billion a year of turnover, with over 56,000 people being directly employed in the industry.

It’s also important to stress that the economic impact of the creative industries extends beyond those industries, as other parts of the economy can benefit from the skills and outputs of those who work in the creative industries sector. For instance, the automotive, artistic design and digital engineering industries all benefit from experiences in the creative industries, especially in training.

Now, as we heard from Rhianon, Wales is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence for television, drama and film and has become a centre, as I’ve heard from no-one less than NBC Universal several times over the past year. And Amblin Television, which is also responsible for broadcasting the work that we’ll see very soon, with Brave New World—I look forward very much to seeing that new series for television, which will be broadcast globally and is being produced in Dragon Studios not far from this place. These productions demonstrate that Wales is just as dependable, indeed, can be more dependable than London and the south-east when it come to the screen industry. And I’ve heard a number of companies, over the past few years when I’ve been in this post, saying how excellent the experience of working with the teams that we have here in Wales has been.

During the period between 2016 and 2019, expenditure in Wales in the screen industry has increased from £35 million to £55 million and there’s no sign of this slowing down.

We are just as eager to ensure that we have support for the successful bilingual publishing industry in Wales, because this is also part of the wider economic growth strategy for the creative industries in Wales. The publishing industry, and the Welsh Books Council in Wales in particular, contribute directly to supporting literature in both languages, but also the stories that are written in Wales, such as the work of Philip Pullman recently, which demonstrates that so much of what happens in the film industry on our screens begins between the covers of a book. And I think it’s important that we always celebrate that. I’m sure that His Dark Materials is a very good example of that at the moment.

As we heard from Rhianon very eloquently, it’s not mythology to speak of Wales as the land of song. And the contribution of the music industry to our economy continues to make a mark. Of course, in our stadia—whatever the plural of ‘stadium' is in Welsh—these huge venues and different performance arenas that we have attract tourists here from all parts of the United Kingdom and beyond and I’m sure that that will continue to happen. Cultural tourism is a central part of what we are pursuing at the moment, as a Government, and we see the importance of these major events, as we call them, but these major events are seen as a vital way for people to see Wales as a platform and a place worth visiting.

The development of economic infrastructure for music on this major level is going to continue to assist the development of music on our streets, in our towns and cities and everywhere across Wales. And, as mentioned by Rhianon—and I know that this is something that is held as a common belief across the Assembly—the loss of live music venues is a cause of great concern, and that’s why we made the announcement today that we are going to invest and invite proposals to revive or create anew live music venues across Wales.

The reasons why these venues are being lost are often complex, and financial difficulties aren’t always the reason, but without live music in venues, without the unique experience of being able to see the performers and be part of these events, I don’t think we would have musical life here in Wales. That’s why the grassroots music venues fund is going to be vital to developing those venues.

Finally, may I say that I agree entirely with the possibility of a young person, regardless of their background, being able to enjoy access to music education and opportunities to develop? We always have to ensure that creative young people—and I speak as the father of one who is a very creative musician, but is also a performer in terms of dance—we have to give the opportunities to these young people to develop, because, without these opportunities, we don’t have substance or a basis to our creative industries. So, I’m very grateful for this opportunity that has been offered to discuss in this Assembly what we will be doing later on—