Schools: Music and Dance Scheme

Baroness Caine of Kentish Town Excerpts

Wednesday 28th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

It is not right to say that the only support provided to music and the arts is through the music and dance scheme. That deals with a particular issue about how we ensure that, whatever your income, if you are highly talented, you can learn at the very best private schools, including Chetham’s. Alongside that, this Government have taken action on the national curriculum to support the place of arts and music. We are investing in a national centre for arts and music as well. So there is a long-term commitment from this Government to arts and music—somewhat in contrast to the last Government, I have to say.

[Baroness Caine of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, these specialist music and dance providers, and others, such as the BRIT School and the London Screen Academy, provide opportunities for very gifted young people to enter the talent pipeline so vital to the creative industries, a key growth sector of our economy. Can my noble friend the Minister therefore update the House on the development and investment in the sector skills plan for these industries, which should sit alongside the others already agreed, such as for digital and technology and the life sciences?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

My noble friend makes an important point about the economic benefit and growth potential of the creative industries, which is why, as she says, we are developing a specific sector job plan for the creative industries alongside the other seven areas identified in the industrial strategy. I am meeting my ministerial colleagues tomorrow to ensure that progress is being made on those job plans. I know that just earlier this week, on Monday, Skills England and others held a good and productive meeting with the creative industries precisely to take forward that job plan.