The next item is the short debate. And if Members leaving the Chamber could do so quietly, I will call Rhianon Passmore to make her contribution.

Rhianon Passmore to introduce her short debate. And we'll allow Members to leave quietly. Rhianon Passmore.

Diolch, Llywydd. I shall be giving a minute of my time to the following Senedd colleagues: Carolyn Thomas, Peredur Owen Griffiths, Delyth Jewell, Sam Rowlands and Mike Hedges. I greatly welcome the contributions of cross-party Members of the Senedd in this important debate today. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr i chi i gyd.

I stand in the Chamber of this Welsh Parliament to call for the urgent need to sustain a musical Wales for the twenty-first century, ensuring access for all, affording well-being and creating opportunities. Since the very first time I stood up in the Chamber in 2016, I have sought to emphasise, from this Senedd Cymru, that music contributes hugely to who we are as a people and what we are as a nation. And I was extremely grateful that the Welsh Labour party committed in its 2021 Senedd election manifesto to the creation of a national music service and strategy plan. I have been a proud champion of this since my first day as the Senedd Member for Islwyn.

The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair.

I chair the Senedd cross-party group on music and I'm truly grateful for the genuine cross-party support across the Chamber on this vital issue. Last Saturday, I was honoured to participate in the Incorporated Society of Musicians conference where I represented the Senedd to discuss music education across the devolved nations. Indeed, we are renowned internationally as the land of bards and brass bands, choirs and choral societies, a land of song, old and new, diverse and traditional, and strongly rooted in working class and eisteddfodau culture.

Wales is globally respected for the excellence of our national institutions, such as the Welsh National Opera and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. And we are rightly proud of our artists, such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Tom Jones, the Manics, the Stereophonics, Katherine Jenkins, Catrin Finch, Claire Jones and the talented Watkins brothers from Islwyn, and, of course, Sir Bryn Terfel, and our conducting and composing greats who ring out across the global airways—Sir Karl Jenkins and Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, just to mention a few. 

But now, it is time for a warning to us all to guard against complacency. The reality in 2021 in Wales is that children and young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are not accessing musical opportunities that were once available to them. Worse, according to our major musical institutions and organisations, poorer pupils are simply not accessing musical opportunities and therefore the requisite skills to participate and progress. This is patently wrong. Music in Wales should be the birthright of all, certainly of our children and young people and certainly not dependent on your family's ability to pay.

Sadly, despite the fiscal protections of the Welsh Government, austerity has hit the poorest the hardest of all. I argue that being deprived of access to an educational pathway is both cultural exclusion and economic exclusion. The silent evaporation of our music teaching services is in itself a quiet dissolution. The engines of instrumental and talent skills building and practice and progression across Wales have mostly dissolved into the night. Despite the Welsh Government's well-considered mitigation, instrumental and vocal access for students is increasingly the right of the well-off. This is the reality. But the reason that Wales punches above its weight in the world of international music-making and the talent pipelines is precisely because of these very services that are no longer strategically in place and are now increasingly left to the market.

Deputy Minister, what makes us Welsh today partly, I argue, is the breadth and depth and diversity of the creative talent that we have in Wales and the contribution that music makes to our home-grown economic base. Its contributions are profound. Music is part of our cultural identity and brand Wales. It makes us strong and vibrant in our diversity and it contributes to our basic well-being and sense of self. In lockdown, the sense of real loss from community choirs and bands led to poorer well-being. And this has been evidenced as contributing to poorer mental health of all age groups across our communities and educational settings.

Deputy Minister, I welcomed the opportunity to commission the 'Land of Song' report from Professor Paul Carr, and the various important and hard-hitting reports from the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee.

So, what are the solutions? Someone once told me that there are no problems, only solutions. And we have the answers, the will, the way and the funding. Deputy Llywydd, I have, at various times, stood in this Chamber and welcomed positively the varied Welsh Government initiatives that have attempted to resolve the situation. Now, today, in the Chamber, I put on the record the sector's real anticipation of a swift publication and then rapid implementation of the new national music service and strategy plan. I welcome the long-called-for strategic collaboration and co-operation between our big, funded arts organisations and the exciting new Donaldson curriculum and areas of expressive arts learning within the plan.

The manifesto promise of the new national music service for Wales attempts to radically resolve the funding model issue and it provides a qualitative and progressive and equitable offer across Wales. I am grateful that the music education stakeholder group has met on a regular basis from January 2021. Minister, as I raised in this Chamber last week, there are important questions that need addressing, namely, when will the strategy plan be published? When will the new service be rolled out? How will the service be funded? And, crucially, please can you reassure me and many others today that this service will be funded appropriately? It is our duty in this place to protect all that we have to lose for future and present generations. And with the impacts of COVID on well-being still being hugely suffered, we must work co-operatively across Government to fund a cross-portfolio agenda, critical to the Wales we want to see: a fairer, greener and healthier Wales, a global music player; a creative Wales fit for the twenty-first century. Thank you. Diolch.

Music services and tuition in Wales delivered by authorities have been severely impacted by year upon year of austerity measures and cuts to public service funding. I saw this as a Flintshire councillor and parent whose son took part in a music service. After attending a concert, I asked my then young children if they would learn an instrument through school. It was free and I thought it would be good for them to try. My son came home with a trombone and went on to work his way through all the grades up to grade eight. But, year upon year, as the cuts to council funding increased, the amount we paid increased. It was a huge financial struggle to continue. Families fund-raised and people dropped out. Over 2,500 children participated 10 years ago, now there are just a few hundred. Opportunities were lost. Talent was left unknown, unexplored. Every child, every person, has a skill, a talent; it may not be core-curriculum based, but every child should have an opportunity to excel and discover their talent, which then helps them unlock other talents. Learning music is like learning a new language, and it is for these reasons that I'm so pleased that the Welsh Labour Government has committed itself to delivering a national music service, and I look forward to seeing the benefits that will bring to children right across Wales. Diolch.

I'd like to thank Rhianon for granting me a minute of her time in this important debate this evening. I was reminded of the power of music during a concert and dinner to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Abertillery town band just a few weeks ago. The concert was superb and moved many people to tears. The dinner afterwards featured many powerful testimonies of how the band had brought music into people's lives and gave them opportunities they wouldn't have had otherwise. I'm pleased to say that the future looks rosy for the band as they recently secured a grant to deliver an outreach music programme to local schools.

After this fantastic evening, I reflected on the way that music has impacted my life. I was fortunate enough to be taught the violin at school. Even though I didn't do much practising, it was great to be able to do that. But, my lifelong love of choral music started with school choirs, progressing to mixed choirs, including Côr Rhuthun, Côr Godre'r Garth and Côr CF1. The camaraderie, discipline and joy—this has allowed me to travel all over the world singing in magnificent buildings and competing in international competitions. I've even shared a stage with Take That at the Millennium Stadium.

Music has always been accessible to me, growing up. It should always be accessible to children from all backgrounds, regardless of family background or income. That's the message I want to deliver during the short debate this evening. Diolch yn fawr, Rhianon, and I encourage her in her endeavours in this regard. Diolch yn fawr.

Diolch, Rhianon, I'm so delighted that you mentioned the talented Watkins brothers; their parents are very dear family friends. Music can change people's lives. We're even getting this from this short debate. Sadly, A-level music is too infrequently now being offered in schools, but young people need to be made aware of the exciting career prospects that exist for talented instrumentalists, singers and teachers. Now, I'm biased because my mother was a peripatetic violin teacher for all of her working life, so I'm drawing on some of those experiences in what I'm saying. For music to flourish in schools, peripatetic instrumental services need to be given more credibility. I welcome the fact there's going to be a national music service, instead of it being treated as an optional extra. Music teachers should be given proper resources, places to teach that are suitable instead of leaky side rooms, because music, after all, is always at the forefront in school assemblies, eisteddfodau, Christmas concerts, and these provide enjoyment for pupils, for parents, for the whole community. Too often, music is regarded as of lesser importance as a subject, and I couldn't disagree with that idea more. As someone who has been privileged to have piano and signing lessons, it saddens me to think that that is a privilege; it should be available to all, and I commend what Rhianon is doing.

Thank you, Rhianon Passmore, for allowing me to speak in your short debate today. I do apologise if I go slightly over a minute, but I'll do my best, because music to me is really, really important. I remember the first instrument I learnt was the recorder, of all things, my mother teaching me how to play the recorder. Then, I moved on to the clarinet as I got more proficient in recorder. I did my GCSEs on the drums, of all things, and then, my A-level music on the guitar. I've had a love for music through all my life, and I was really pleased to be able to speak on this as briefly as I can. 

Obviously, the importance of music to our culture is well known, but also, the importance of music to mental well-being is what I want to highlight today as well. In a former life, I was working at a bank, and I had a home-based role there for a few years. And, actually, it was music that really helped me at home. I grew an unhealthy obsession with country music of all things through that time. I still have a love for country music. 

But also, music can be great for families, and I've got to mention my daughters who are having piano lessons; they've actually had piano lessons today. My eldest daughter, who is playing a piece called 'Music Box' at the moment, is doing very well. My middle daughter has just learnt 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm', and she's doing fantastically as well. I want my four-year-old to have lessons at some point as well. So, it brings families together. There's more to it than just what meets the ears, as you might say. 

I would like to highlight as well the great work being carried out by charities, by co-operatives, and those in educational settings in improving access to music currently, because of, as has already been highlighted, the exceptional benefits that music can bring. A great example of this are the Denbighshire and Wrexham music co-operatives, who I had the pleasure of meeting in September. They provide a live-stream performance to local schools, showing children a range of instruments, and actually allowing children to have access to instruments and music, which they may not usually experience. This type of support and contribution by charities and co-operatives should be encouraged and supported. 

So, I'd like to thank you again, Rhianon Passmore, for bringing forward this debate, and I look forward to the rest of the debate. 

Can I also thank Rhianon for giving me a minute in this debate? Wales has a very proud musical tradition. In my constituency, we have male choirs, mixed choirs, ladies' choirs, all producing singing of the highest standard. We also have bands, although not as many as some of the neighbouring constituencies. Music is important to many people. I want to stress how important it is that opportunities are available to all children. Being from a financially disadvantaged background should not exclude you from learning an instrument or learning to sing or managing to improve your skill at either an instrument or singing. We need to ensure that everybody has an opportunity. Your parents' income should not be more important than your skill and ability. Music should not be the preserve of only those who are well off; it should be the preserve of everyone. I support Rhianon; I think it's really important that people are not excluded due to poverty. 

I call on the Deputy Minister for arts and sport to reply to the debate. 

Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. First of all, can I thank Rhianon Passmore for scheduling today's short debate on music, and take this opportunity of acknowledging her tenacity in championing and pursuing this issue in the Senedd? I'm kind of minded, Rhianon, to name the new national music service after you because of your contributions to the debate.

Music has been a priority for Creative Wales since its launch in January 2020. As has been reflected in the contributions to this debate this evening, it is such an important part of our culture and heritage. I think, again, that is also reflected in the number of people that have wanted to contribute to the debate today. It goes without saying that it makes a significant contribution to the Welsh economy. As is the case with many of our creative disciplines, making and listening to music undoubtedly has a positive impact on well-being. It's important that the people of Wales can engage with music, and that there are opportunities in place for this to happen from an early age. 

Like you, Rhianon, I'm passionate about ensuring that the next generation views the creative industries as an accessible and rewarding career choice, providing our young people in Wales with great job opportunities in a sector providing valued content, serving all audiences and that is key to supporting our future economic growth. I absolutely recognise the importance of music education to young people and the benefits to their learning, and that's why I'd like to briefly update you on what the Welsh Government is doing to support music education. 

Work has begun on our programme for government commitment to establish a national music service. We're working with our music stakeholders on a model for the national music service, the foundation of which will be strengthened by the curriculum for Wales to ensure access for all, providing enhanced music opportunities for music tuition and experience for learners. I continue to discuss with the Minister for education exactly how and when this will be rolled out and what the budget for the service will be. This Senedd, of course, will be kept updated as that progresses. 

Our vision for the national music service is to build on the support for music education provision across Wales. Currently, this is largely facilitated through our grant funding of £1.4 million per year to the Welsh Local Government Association to support local authority music services and £100,000 to support National Youth Arts Wales. We’ve also, in the last month, provided additional funding of £503,000 for a music project under the Winter of Well-being programme to support extracurricular music projects in schools. We will continue to progress our plans for music education, as I’ve said, to ensure that young people benefit from the greatest opportunities to engage and experience music activities.

Creative Wales remains fully engaged with the grass-roots music industry in Wales, and the collaborative approach embedded by Creative Wales at the start of the pandemic continues to better serve the industry in Wales with many stakeholders fully engaged in the wider policy conversations across Welsh Government, particularly in relation to the introduction of new COVID measures, such as the COVID pass. Following the fifth Senedd’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee inquiry into the live music industry in February of this year, my officials are working towards a pan-Wales sector action plan to be launched in April 2022, through which many of the priorities identified in the report will be addressed. This action plan will reflect the need for both short-term actions required to assist the sector’s recovery from the pandemic and longer term plans for a sustainable future in the global market.

Building on the recommendations of the report and working in partnership with the University of South Wales, we’ve recently commissioned a two-phase research project. The first phase, which is due for completion shortly, is plotting the full extent of music businesses, live music venues, recording studios and rehearsal spaces across Wales. This will be captured in an interactive map as a dynamic reference tool and will be hosted by the Creative Wales website. The second phase will be conducted in the new year and will address the void of specific Welsh data relating to the economic impact that the music industry has on the Welsh economy. It’s recognised that the live music industry has been one of the hardest hit throughout the pandemic, and whilst many of the businesses are now operational again, they are likely to be negatively impacted for some considerable time.

Through the first phase of the cultural recovery fund, approximately £6.6 million was invested in music venues, rehearsal spaces and recording studios, with a further £2 million being invested in freelancers from the music sector. Updated information on the additional support received by the sector through the second phase will be available when the evaluation of the fund is completed. Our support has played a vital role in keeping music businesses alive. These businesses are likely to require further funding, not only for the immediate future, but for the longer term growth and sustainability of the industry. We will design a music development fund to address this ambition.

As part of our continuing support for the sector, we have today launched our music capital fund, which will provide up to £10,000 for small capital improvements to our venues, recording studios and rehearsal spaces. These businesses are critical to ensuring the future of the music industry in Wales. Even in the face of unprecedented challenges, key areas of our work have progressed and we remain committed to expanding and strengthening our support for talent development projects, such as Beacons and the PPL Momentum fund, and it will be a fundamental part of that music action plan. We gave the Beacons project £60,000 to run its programme this year, and it's been a huge success in its work to empower the next generation of the music industry in Wales. We're currently talking to Beacons about its strategy for 2022, and we would be keen for representatives to present their work to a future meeting of the cross-party working group on music. We continue to invest in the programmes that are already making a difference to the Welsh landscape in Wales. Both the PPL Momentum fund and Horizons received financial support from Creative Wales this year to continue their excellent work in supporting Welsh artists and the promotion of these artists to Wales and around the world.

It's important that the people of Wales have access to Welsh music, but also that we are showcasing Welsh talent and the Welsh language on international platforms. The Creative Wales Spotify channel, launched in June 2020, has been an overwhelming success, with almost 700 tracks included between its launch and November 2021. And just recently, we have supported the Welsh Music Prize, a celebration and recognition of excellence in creativity in Welsh music. The Welsh Music Prize is in its final year of a three-year funding deal with Creative Wales, and from year one, the project has engaged and developed partnerships to promote and support the Welsh music industry by exchanging, collaborating and showcasing acts with a focus on inclusivity. Kelly Lee Owens was the winner of the prize this year for her album Inner Song. Kelly has recently been commissioned by FIFA to write and perform the official theme music for the 2023 Women's World Cup. The music has been inspired by choirs in Wales, and it's an excellent opportunity to showcase her amazing talent to the rest of the world. I very much hope that the Wales women's football team will be there to hear it in person.

The Welsh Government has also supported FOCUS Wales, an international multivenue showcase festival taking place in Wrexham in north Wales. FOCUS continues to play a crucial role in showcasing Welsh talent internationally. In order to mitigate risks for organisers and to encourage the industry to resume activity, we have supported both Sŵn festival in Cardiff and the Swansea Fringe festival with £5,000 each to be held in this year, albeit on a smaller scale than usual. This activity is also complemented by the bilingual AM digital project PYST, which continues to provide a unique and growing platform to showcase live music. This digital platform has been really important throughout the pandemic in providing opportunities that would otherwise have been lost due to measures implemented to reduce the spread of the virus. Creative Wales will continue with this positive response to the sector, working closely with partners both inside and outside of Government. This genuine partnership approach is embedded within the work of the Creative Wales music team, and our action plan will be reflective of this.

Dirprwy Lywydd, may I thank Members for the debate today, and for their continued support for the music service in Wales? I assure of you of the continued support of the Welsh Government for the music service in Wales.

Thank you, Deputy Minister. That brings today's proceedings to a close.

Safe journey home, everyone.

The meeting ended at 18:58.