Music and Dance Schools: Affordable Access

Lord Liddle Excerpts

Thursday 16th October 2025 Grand Committee

[Lord Liddle (Lab)]

My Lords, first, I must say how much we miss Lord Lipsey in this debate as he was totally committed to the cause that we are discussing today. I support those who have spoken eloquently in favour of the future of the music and dance scheme and scholarships. My wife was for several years managing director of the English National Ballet and then went on to serve on its board for many years, and I know Caroline believes very strongly in the case for specialist schools.

I have two points to make. First, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Vaizey, about the importance of cathedrals, particularly in church music. My own cathedral, Carlisle Cathedral, set up the school that I went to some time in the seventh century, allegedly with St Cuthbert. It has a very long but fragile tradition, and it needs support. It needs a new partnership between the state and the church in this area of music education.

My second point is that, yes, we need more scholarships at specialist schools, but we also need a broader base of encouraging experts in the arts throughout our education system. This is where changes in the curriculum are so important. Before the election, the Prime Minister said:

“Seriously, in what world does learning to act, dance, sing or paint count less than learning a language from more than a thousand years ago?”


He went on to say:

“We’re going to update the Progress 8 performance measure and use it to help all kids study a creative arts subject or sport until they’re 16”.


Does the Minister believe that the Government are going to deliver on the pledge that Keir Starmer made?