Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect and support sacred choral music in the UK including by supporting (1) cathedral choirs, and (2) relevant music education.

HM Government has a strong commitment to all forms of music, including choral music.

Between 2019/20 and 2023/24 Arts Council England funded activity with a choral focus or element by nearly £200 million. This funding has supported the development, touring and promotion of choral music throughout England. Organisations supported by this funding include Ex Cathedra, a nationally recognised choir with a repertoire that reaches from the 12th to the 21st centuries.

Within the Music and Dance Scheme, the Department for Education continues to fund bursaries for training choristers through the Choir Schools’ Association.