Heledd Fychan Canol De Cymru - South Wales Central

On Wednesday 18^th of June Heledd Fychan, Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central and Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Culture, led a powerful debate centred around  the question – are culture and the arts nice to have or central to Wales’ future?

Ms Fychan made the case for culture, and highlighted how culture contributes over £1.6 billion to the Welsh economy and supports health, education, and community wellbeing. She also warned that current funding levels threaten the survival of truly impactful programmes as well as local cultural community assets.

Speaking after the debate Ms Fychan stated

“We cannot keep asking people to choose between having their bins emptied or a museum, between social care or a library. These are not fair choices. Culture is not an optional extra it’s at the heart of who we are as individuals and communities,” 

Ms Fychan also emphasised the need to break down departmental silos and deliver on the promises of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, urging the next Senedd to act decisively.

“We've heard the commitment to preventative investment time and again, but now we need follow-through. The challenge for us as a Senedd is not just to agree that culture matters, but to embed it across every portfolio including health, education and the economy.”