Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to encourage children and young people in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire to learn an instrument.

Improving access to music education for children across England remains a priority, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire. The Government is actively breaking down barriers through several national initiatives.

The Music Hubs Programme, supported by £76 million for 2026/27, delivers expert tuition and instrument access across England. The £5.85 million Music Opportunities Pilot backed by DfE, Arts Council England and Youth Music offers free lessons to disadvantaged students and those with SEND.

Through the £12.5 million “Music in Libraries” initiative, as part of the Dormant Assets funded ‘Every Child Can’ programme, we will extend provision and increase participation by disadvantaged young people in music enrichment opportunities in public libraries.