Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report by the University of Nottingham, Time to Listen, 15 October, of the value of arts and cultural education.

The government agrees with the report on the value of arts and cultural education. In state maintained schools dance, music, art and design, and drama are a compulsory part of the National Curriculum at key stage 1 to key stage 3, with pupils having an entitlement to study an arts subject at key stage 4. All schools, including academies and free schools, must provide a broad and balanced curriculum.

The government is committed to funding music and arts, and has spent almost £500 million on related programmes between 2016 and 2020. This includes £300 million for music education hubs to ensure that all children have the opportunity to play and perform in choirs and ensembles. This spending also includes £118 million for the Music and Dance Scheme, which allows exceptionally talented young musicians and dancers to attend world-class institutions such as the Royal Ballet School and the Yehudi Menuhin School.

Between 2010 and 2018 the percentage of young people entering at least one arts GCSE has fluctuated but remained broadly stable.