Live Music Industry: Support

Baroness Garden of Frognal Excerpts

Monday 23rd June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is correct that it is a positive sign that it was mentioned in the announcement following the UK-EU summit on 19 May. Both the UK and the European Commission are committed to supporting travel and cultural exchange, including the activities of touring artists. We are continuing to engage constructively with the European Commission to address the challenges that touring artists and their support staff face, while respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides. My colleague, Sir Chris Bryant, has held a number of bilateral meetings with other countries and the Commission to try to move this forward.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal (LD)]

Given that music has disappeared from many state schools, what are the Government doing to bring music back, particularly to primary and secondary school children?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

This Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality creative education, including music. As noble Lords will be aware, we launched an independent curriculum and assessment review, which seeks to deliver a broader curriculum so that young people do not miss out on music and the arts. The Government are also working with Young Sounds UK on a four-year music opportunities pilot to break down barriers to music education for disadvantaged and SEND students.