Government Pledges £18m to Music Education

Following a recent campaign by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) aimed at protecting funding for music education, the Government has performed a U-turn on music education, pledging an additional £18m in funding during 2015-16.

In addition, the Government will continue to fund the network of music education ‘hubs’ across the UK to the tune of £75m. The hubs are comprised of organisations working in local areas and ensure that every child aged 5-18 has the opportunity to sing, learn a musical instrument, and perform as part of an ensemble or choir. Previous recommendations from the Government had suggested that local authority support for music education hubs should be reduced.

ISM Chief Executive and coordinator of the ‘Protect Music Education’ campaign Deborah Annetts said: “We are delighted that the minister has chosen to withdraw the damaging guidance to local authorities that they should cease funding music services”.

Annetts continued: “We welcome the minister’s confirmation that music education services can be funded by their local authorities and we hope that any local authorities considering cutting funding think twice before doing so”.

According to the ISM, national funding for music lessons has fallen from £82.5 million in 2010/11, to £58 million this year.