Think Tank Highlights £161.4m Shortfall in Music Education Budget

Music Mark commissioned an independent think tank, Demos, in May 2024 to evaluate the National Plan for Music Education. After 8 months of research, the organisation released its findings last week.

The think tank report exposes a £161.4m shortfall in funding from the NPME. Specifically, regional Music Hubs, e.g., partnerships of music services, music departments, venues, clubs and other organisations – require £32.3m a year in further funding to protect music education. This additional budget would account for just 0.03% of the total UK education spend.

Drawing from data from original surveys, Arts Council England and workshops with Music Hub leaders, the report demonstrates numerous challenges opposing music education. Inflation is causing cost challenges across the board and pressurising educators’ salaries. The increasingly implemented English Baccalaureate is pushing the creative arts, including music, out of curriculums nationwide.

These limitations to music education are shortsighted. The music industry generated £7.6bn for the UK economy in 2023, and exports reached an all-time high of £4.6bn. Not only is this cultural sector profitable, the enrichment music education and performance provides to young people is scientifically proven. For instance, a study from the National Institutes of Health directly links musical education and improved emotional intelligence and academic performance in children. Evidently, the inclusion of music education in young peoples’ lives makes them better students overall.

Our current Labour government pledges to reprioritise music education. Sir Keir Starmer describes the current landscape as “degrading” to creative arts and music. Cultural Secretary Lisa Nandy criticises previous governments for allowing some areas of England to become “cultural deserts”. Should Labour make good on its promise, a “turbocharge” of the creative industries may be on the horizon.