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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote music education and support the development of future professional musicians in the UK.

This country has an incredible musical history and the Government wants to ensure that this continues. This Government's introduction of music education hubs has built on and enhanced the music education provision that existed. Music hubs have brought together new partnerships between music services, schools, education and arts organisations.

The Government also funds six In Harmony programmes across the country. In Harmony is an intensive music programme for children and young people from disadvantaged communities, using the inspiration and discipline of orchestral music making to raise aspiration, support children’s attainment and enhance families, and communities.

Many Arts Council England funded music organisations also run their own education programmes that support and engage with children and young people.

In October 2016, Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) relaunched,making £2.8 million of grant support available to independent music small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) up to 2020. It was developed in partnership with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to help support the launch of UK music acts to international audiences and is funded by the Department for International Trade.

The Rehearsal Room Scheme was originally created by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and UK Music. UK Music continue to oversee the scheme which has seen £440,000 invested in 14 pilot music rehearsal spaces were created for young people in a range of urban and rural areas of England experiencing multiple deprivation. The funds were used to provide instruments and equipment, and contributed towards the cost of necessary capital works, such as sound proofing.