9. Short Debate: A Welsh cultural renaissance post COVID? The plan for music and access for all

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:06 pm on 15 June 2022.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 6:06, 15 June 2022

Diolch, Rhianon—this is just such a lovely debate, isn't it? I'm delighted about the Government's announcement in this area. I come from a family of musicians, and my sister and I both benefited when we were in school from having music lessons. I had singing, piano and clarinet lessons. Do not ask to play the clarinet; I only got to grade 1 in the clarinet, and it would not sound good, but that's not down to the teachers; it's because I didn't practice.

Rhianon mentioned the amazing work, as well, that the previous culture committee in the previous Senedd had done on this. I pay tribute to the work of the committee as well as to Rhianon in campaigning for this. As Rhianon has intimated, the evidence that we received as a committee showed that having access to music education doesn't just develop a skill in music; it helps children's well-being, their confidence, it helps them to flourish and to take delight in this wonderful thing. Music opens doors onto other worlds, it allows us to have joy in our lives, and I couldn't agree more with the sentiments Rhianon was conveying—why on earth should that be the privilege of the few who can afford it? We are a land of song, we're a nation of music lovers, and every child, every adult should be able to take part in that rich heritage. So, diolch yn fawr iawn, thank you again to Rhianon, for bringing forward this debate, for the work on this issue, and I am really just so pleased that the Government has done this. And, Sam, my mother was a peripatetic music teacher, so she'll be very pleased as well.