---

Economic Downturn (Unemployment)

As someone with a family member who just graduated in the creative industries and who is desperately looking for employment, I draw the Minister’s attention to one difficulty for young people entering the industry. A traditional route has always been to take an internship or unpaid work experience, but that of course disqualifies one from receiving any sort of benefit. It poses a serious problem for young people in the present circumstances. They cannot get part-time work to subsidise their gathering of experience in the creative industries, and they are disqualified from receiving benefits by taking an internship. It means that only those with sufficient independent means can enter the industry. Can the Minister do anything to address the issue?