National Centre for Arts and Music Education

Baroness Caine of Kentish Town Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The really important part about the consultation for the centre is partnerships and how, through them, we can bring together all the partners around the music hubs that exist and make sure they are consistent across the country—I think the noble Lord is well aware of that issue. Of course, DCMS and DfE work very closely together on this. We need the voluntary sector to work in partnership with local authorities, government departments and the private sector to make sure that all children can get the very best possible outcomes from the process.

[Baroness Caine of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, the welcome announcement regarding the national centre for arts and music education will provide much-needed support for the arts and cultural provision in schools. It was made on the same day as the publication of the interim report of the curriculum and assessment review in England, part of whose role is to help advise on qualification pathways that are cutting edge and will support young people’s future life and work. Will my noble friend therefore support that aspiration by seeking to ensure that the digital, AI and technology expert group, which is about to help the review group on the next stage of its work, takes into account this House’s Communications and Digital Committee’s 2023 report, At Risk: Our Creative Future, and its recommendation on the importance of integrating creative and digital education, and specifically addresses the proposal from Ukie for a digital creativity GCSE?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I know, from my experience of working with her over many years on the contribution of the creative industries to the economy and beyond, that my noble friend will continue to ensure that this is at the top of the agenda. I recognise the issues she raised, but at the moment we have a richness of reviews and plans coming together. We must ensure that all the key areas are talking to each other, taking full account of where we are now but also, as she quite rightly lays out, incorporating the potential of the tech sector and all the other areas to move forward and continue contributing to the economy of this country.