UK Music calls on ministers to back music in education - as Government announces boost in education funding

08 September 2019 - Press release

UK Music’s CEO Michael Dugher called on the Government to ensure the future success of the music industry by investing in music in education following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spending Review.  

Mr Dugher welcomed Sajid Javid’s funding pledge that school spending would be increased by £7.1 billion over three years.

Last year, UK Music’s Securing Our Talent Pipeline report revealed 17 per cent of music creators were educated at fee paying schools, compared with just 7 per cent across the population as a whole. 50 per cent of children at independent schools receive sustained music tuition, while the figure for state schools is a mere 15 per cent.

A “deepening crisis” in the industry’s talent pipeline was further highlighted by this year’s A-level results that showed the number of students taking Music had dropped by 30 per cent since 2014. This fall threatens the UK’s continued success at generating world-leading professional musicians and teachers. 

UK Music also welcomed the announcement in the Spending Review that the Department for Digital, Culture, Music and Sport (DCMS) would develop proposals for a new Youth Investment Fund for youth centres. 

There was further good news from the Chancellor with confirmation that £60 million was being made available to promote the UK overseas through the GREAT campaign. UK music industry export revenues enjoy year on year growth of 7 per cent.

Schemes like the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) have been developed by the Government and industry to support international opportunities for UK artists. MEGS has seen a return of over £11 for every £1 invested, generating £35 million for the UK music economy. 

 

UK Music CEO Michael Dugher said:

“News of increased funding for state schools from the Chancellor is very welcome.

“Music contributes £4.5 billion to the economy. If we want to produce the stars of tomorrow, we’ve got to invest in talent for the future. That’s why the Government should halt the decline of music in education to boost funding and support the industry’s talent pipeline.

“We look forward to working with the Government to ensure we have a broad and balanced curriculum in education and that we have universal access to music in state schools for all children, regardless of their background.

“Supporting music in education must be part of the Government’s plan to strengthen Britain’s economy”.

“Supporting Britain’s world-leading music in the global market is essential, which is why the Government should continue to support things like the BPI’s Music Export Growth Scheme with its record of success delivering impressive returns from relatively small amounts of government investment.”