The Welsh Labour Government was re-elected in May of this year for another five-year term by the people of Wales. For me, the starting point is those discussions on the 2022-23 budget preparations. They can be found within the pages of that contract between the Labour Government and the people of Wales. We know—all of us in this place—that we must end this pandemic and build back fairer and greener, but it's that journey that is critical. I will not repeat the inescapable external pressures and lack of levers, totally ignored by the Conservative Party opposite and their 'spend more, tax less' approach, no doubt much appreciated by Alice in the Welsh National Opera's recent production.

Anyway, in the fifth Senedd—my first as the Member of the Senedd for Islwyn—I advocated strongly for us to ensure that Wales develops a national music strategy and an education plan, sitting within a funded cultural strategy, so that our children across Wales can access music education without there being a financial or access barrier. I do agree with much of what has been said in this area. Wales is known throughout the world as the land of song. It is our duty to ensure in this place that we nurture that legacy and enhance it for future generations. So, I was particularly pleased to see, in the Welsh Labour manifesto, the commitment to establish a national music service to make sure that a lack of money is no barrier to young people learning to play an instrument. That will not be easy in this climate. And yes, there will always be a challenge, as has been articulated, for allocating funding. But fund we must the children of Wales to ensure that our wonderful cultural life is retained, now and for future generations. Budgets rightly must focus on pounds and pence, but we cannot and should not value the life of our nation in simple profit and loss. It must be all of our collective mission and vision to nurture the musical and creative life of Wales. As the chair of the cross-party group on music, I welcome the many Members across the Chamber and across all parties who are committed to ensure that Wales's children continue to have access to their musical and creative birthright. I do welcome also the exciting proposals mooted for UBI.

Llywydd, the benefits system in Wales is run by the UK Tory Government, and there will be a strong need for the Welsh Labour Government to continue to stand very tall for those in need, whether that be those abandoned due to chronic welfare cuts, consequences of fuel poverty, unemployment or the reality of the lack of compassion shown to them by Westminster. As the Welsh Government has stated, by deciding to end the additional £20 universal credit payment from September, the UK Government has abandoned a great many people when they need the support the most. It will be vital that we assess future budget priorities to continue to ameliorate the devastation that poverty causes in the lives of families and communities. Minister, one thing I know for certain is that the good people of Islwyn will be well served by a Welsh Labour Government determining the budget priorities for 2022-23, and fighting for a brighter, greener, fairer and more prosperous future for all.