Thank you. I'd like to welcome this announcement today and note specifically how pleased I was to hear one word being repeated by the Minister, namely the 'joy' of music. The emphasis on the importance of music in terms of the health and well-being of all of us is something that all of us should welcome, and, particularly in the context of the cost-of-living crisis and the child poverty crisis, I welcome how important the emphasis is on equal access for every child and young person in Wales to music education, as well as the emphasis on equal access for children and young people with additional learning needs. The only thing that was a cause of regret in terms of your statement was hearing about your baritone voice and, therefore, that you didn't sing in your statement. But certainly, the fact that the emphasis is on joy in such a difficult context for many families is to be welcomed.

Because the truth is that there is a crisis in terms of music in schools. Estyn has found that music was one of the subjects most impacted by the pandemic, but we do have to acknowledge that the crisis existed before the pandemic. Since 2014, the number of pupils taking GCSE in music has fallen almost 20 per cent, and almost 40 per cent at A-level, creating a risk in terms of the future of the music sector in Wales. Further, research shows that 50 per cent of pupils in private schools receive music lessons frequently, as compared to 15 per cent in state schools, and this is reflected in terms of the numbers who go on to have a successful music career. This investment, therefore, is to be welcomed in terms of providing redress for the underfunding of services that were seen, until today, as something that was nice to have rather than something vital for the development of every child and young person.

I'd like to ask about a few practical points in terms of Estyn's role, and the role it will play in ensuring, by making school music provision a part of its inspections, that every school does take full advantage of this provision. Given that this is part of the new curriculum, I take it that this will included, but it would be good if we could have that confirmed. I would also like to have more information on evaluation, because it's important that we understand the impact of this, because if there hasn't been access to music education for so long, it is going to take time for pupils to want to take up this provision, and there will be a gap in terms of some students, too.

I also welcome the emphasis on the range of instruments, because not every instrument suits every person. I think that is important. Even where there is provision of music education in schools, sometimes only one specific instrument is provided, and if you don't love that instrument, then you're not going to love music in general. So, the range of instruments is very important, too. 

May I also ask, with regard to the plan, whether there's an intention to ensure equal access to practice space? Because one of the challenges, of course, is to have that space at home. If you live in a flat, or somewhere with thin walls, and so on, you could face complaints, perhaps. We all know that when you start to learn an instrument, you might not produce the most pleasant noise in the world, but it is important that you are able to make those mistakes, so that you don't then feel put off when it comes to the need to practise. So, there is a requirement for practice space, and is that related to extending the school day, and the opportunity with regard to music there? Is that part of your intention?

Like you, Minister, I personally benefited from music education classes in school, as I learned the cello, clarinet and harp, and I borrowed instruments during that period, because instruments can be very, very expensive, too. I remember being able to have a harp on loan for £30 per year, and so I had the opportunity to learn. And I think that's to be welcomed in this plan, too. 

Laura Anne Jones's points were very fair in terms of the long-term view. This is a three-year plan, and I very much welcome that question about the continuity of the investment, because this is an exciting and significant investment, in my view. I think one of the challenges is how we can sustain those opportunities in future and also the opportunities to take part in orchestras. There are often summer trips associated with that, which can be very costly. I think there will be many things that we will learn as this plan proceeds, which is to be welcomed, but this will also need to be evaluated. 

I'd also like to pay tribute to Rhianon Passmore and the work of the culture committee. And, of course, I have to talk about Bethan Sayed. I see from Twitter today that she welcomes this very much, and if she were here today, she would be on her feet to welcome this plan. So, I look forward to seeing how this will all go, but it is important that we keep a close eye on this and ensure that there is that continuity so that equal access is maintained. Thank you.