Facing the Music: Meeting the ambitions of the national plan for music education

The Prime Minister has vowed to make music education a priority and “reverse the degrading of creative arts and music”. However, in a new report, we have identified that the government has inherited a black hole in its budget for music education – amounting to a £161.4m shortfall.

This report, supported by The UK Association for Music Education – Music Mark, identifies the costs and challenges associated with delivering the refreshed National Plan for Music Education (NPME2). Drawing on original survey data, Arts Council England data, and workshops with those working to deliver NPME2, this report accounts for new and hidden costs of implementing NPME2, identifies potential barriers to delivery, and calculates an estimate of the funding needed to deliver the plan effectively.

We also present a series of recommendations to government, which would help deliver an excellent music education for all children and young people:

1. Boost funding to help Music Hubs deliver music education for all by meeting the £32.3m annual funding gap and index-linking the Revenue Grant
2. Liberate Music Hubs from restricted funding and reporting constraints, with greater flexibility on how the Capital Grant can be used
3. Restore the essential place of music education in schools, recalibrating accountability measures that squeeze out music education and offering more generous bursaries for music teachers
4. Mobilise support from the wider music sector and industry
5. Rejuvenate “cultural deserts” through targeted local investment, simplified funding arrangements, and an investment in community spaces, including venues