Class Inequality in the Arts

Lord Pannick Excerpts

Thursday 5th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

One of the issues with private schools is that, in principle, they have not been open to everyone. Ending the tax breaks on VAT and business rates for private schools was a tough but necessary decision that will secure additional funding to help deliver the commitments by this Government relating to education and young people. The schools that focus on the performing arts are in scope of the policy, in order to ensure fairness and consistency. However, we are pushing forward with making sure that there is better, revitalised arts education more generally, and that includes continuing some of the bursaries that are available to young people.

[Lord Pannick (CB)]

Would the Minister acknowledge the contribution made by many independent schools to breaking down the barriers that she referred to, by the partnerships that those schools have with state schools by which they open their facilities to children who are not being educated there?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

When you look at that, it all sounds great in practice, but there is a massive regional difference. For example, it might work in London, but it is not going to work in some parts of the north of England. It does not work in every single part. The best thing the Government can do is to make sure that all state schools, which together educate around 93-94% of children, have a good offer for those children in terms of access to arts education.