Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:39 pm on 6 October 2020.
Minister, could I ask for a debate or a statement on the situation facing the many thousands of people and families, not only in Blaenau Gwent but across the whole country, who are facing real difficulties now because local lockdowns mean that they're unable to take holidays or breaks or flights that they've already booked and paid for? The attitude of some travel companies has been, frankly, appalling, treating people really very, very badly. People who have tried to find a way of taking a family break over these months have found themselves a victim of a travel industry that doesn't seem to care much about the people who are affected by their decisions. I know that MPs have been taking this up in Westminster, and there needs to be an opportunity for us here in Cardiff to address some of these issues as well.
I would also like to ask for a Government debate on the situation facing our choirs and community music societies and organisations across the country. We've debated and discussed the position of singing in choirs and churches on a number of occasions. But as we head into the winter months, and particularly with some of the restrictions that are in place in different localities across the country, many choirs and many community musical organisations and societies and clubs are facing some real difficulties. Wales is a land of song and a land of music, and it's important that we're able to ensure that people can continue to be able to make music and that choirs are able to continue to function. The Welsh Government has already invested in some of the professional musicians and freelancers, and we also need to find a way of protecting the volunteers and the people who make Wales the land of song.