It's a pleasure to take part in this debate, and I'd like to congratulate my colleague and friend Rhianon Passmore on her dedication and continued excellent work in this field. Access to culture and music is so crucial for any child's development, and it should never be a luxury available only to those who can afford it. Wales prides itself as a country of poets and singers, where to be privileged is to be born with music in your heart and poetry in your soul. We must do everything we can to ensure that our proud tradition continues and all generations are able to experience and contribute to the cultural scene. Fostering a desire in children and young people to actively participate in music making, both in their school and the wider community, can act as a catalyst for creativity, expression and imagination that has the potential to not only benefit them, but society as a whole. This is the mantra that the wonderful Gwent Music have held since their inception.

I proudly chair the cross-party group on arts and health, where we have seen so many examples of where the arts are having beneficial impacts on people's lives. From keeping residents in social care engaged with music from their youth, and helping older people regain their confidence after a fall with dance, to the benefits of singing games to children who are long-term and sick in hospital, the examples go on and on, and the impact is on all age groups. Music and the arts in our culture are a force for good. Long may that continue, and a huge thank you to all those who tutor, teach and make that happen. Diolch yn fawr.