£2 Million Boost For Musical Instruments

16 May 2006

Local Music Services will be given a cash boost of £2 million to spend on musical instruments for primary pupils Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said today as he announced the local allocations for the 2006 -07 musical instrument purchase and repair fund.

This is the first time that money has been made available specifically for investment in instruments for pupils aged 7 to 11 and shows our continued commitment to the Music Manifesto.

As part of the £30 million Music Standards Fund we are ring fencing £2 million over two years for Local Music Services to invest in the purchase and repair of musical instruments for their primary schools.

The Music Manifesto includes a pledge to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn an instrument and the allocations being announced today will go a long way to helping us meet this pledge. These allocations to Local Music Services are in addition to the £26 million we are giving to schools over the next two years for instrumental and vocal tuition.

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said:

“Already, the number of primary school pupils learning an instrument has doubled since 2002 and I am delighted that we are giving even more children the opportunity to do so through the musical instrument purchase and repair fund.

“The Music Manifesto is clear in its aim that all young people, whatever their background or abilities, have access to a rich and diverse range of musical experiences. The allocations we are making today are an important part of this as we increase access to musical instruments in primary schools.”

Editor’s Notes
This press notice relates to ’England’
1. A spreadsheet showing the allocations by region for the first year of the fund is attached. The second year’s allocations will be announced next spring.

2. Local Music Services will this week be receiving a letter notifying them of their allocations from the Federation of Music Services, who are managing this new fund for the Department.

3. In 1999 the Government introduced the Music Standards Fund to protect and expand Local Authority Music Services. Around £60 million is paid out to Local Music Services through the ring-fenced Music Services Grant. More information on the Music Standard Fund 2006/2007 is available at: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=9406

4. The Music Manifesto has been developed by DfES and DCMS in collaboration with music leaders, arts organisations, broadcasters and music industry groups to celebrate and improve music education. To find out more about the aims and activities of the Music Manifesto see their website at:http://www.musicmanifesto.co.uk

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