£2 Million Boost For Musical Instruments

Tue, May 16, 2006

Source: Department of Education and Skills

Local Music Services will be given a cash boost of £2 million to spend on musical instruments.

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.”

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2006_0070