Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Welsh Conservatives and Samuel Kurtz for tabling this debate today? It was a very good, feel-good end-of-term debate, and it was lovely to hear it. And it's very timely, given that we've actually launched our new national events strategy just today.

As many have already pointed out, not only are events something that we all want to enjoy, they are a vital part of the visitor economy. As set out in the programme for government, the Welsh Government is determined to do all that we can to help our tourism, sports and arts industry recover from the experience of the pandemic, because the impact of the pandemic can't be underestimated. The events sector was one of the first to close and the last to open. During this time, we worked closely with the sector, establishing an events advisory group and working in partnership with event organisers to deliver pilot events when it was safe to do so, and that strong theme of working in partnership continues throughout the new strategy. We know that the cost-of-living crisis, Brexit and the staff/volunteer shortages are also continuing to impact, but our focus remains on supporting the Welsh events industry to survive, while also looking to the future by developing Welsh events and suppliers and attracting international events in order to further enhance Wales's reputation as a leading events destination. The importance of events to the economy of Wales and the well-being of the nation was recognised by the support that we provided of almost £24 million to over 200 individual businesses in the events sector through three rounds of the cultural recovery fund.