Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to confirm the levels of Government funding for music education hubs in England for the 2021-22 financial year.

The Government believes that the arts are an essential part of a broad and balanced education and that high-quality arts education should not be the preserve of the elite, but the entitlement of every single child.

Music Education Hubs have a vital role to play not only in core school music but also ensuring children have access to all the benefits of a wider musical education through instrumental lessons and ensembles. They have acted swiftly and innovatively to support schools through the COVID-19 outbreak, including the continuation of continuing professional development to classroom teachers.

Following the one-year Spending Review settlement, the Department intends to fund Music Education Hubs for the financial year 2021-22 and the budget will be announced shortly. Our partner organisations have been updated on this matter, and further details on specific funding allocations for each hub will follow.

A Call for Evidence was launched to support the refresh of the national plan. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, analysis of the Call for Evidence and the refresh of the national plan is currently on hold. The Department remains committed to the refresh and the results of the Call for Evidence, and the refreshed plan will be published in due course.