Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Music and Dance Training

Thursday 18 June 2026 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government funds music and dance schemes with an increase of 36.5 million last year and an additional 1.3 million for the current financial year.
  • The Government has invested 425 million in the creative foundations fund to support arts venues across the country.
  • Bursaries will continue in the 2026-27 academic year to support talented young artists.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
Children & Families
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of the music and dance scheme for local schools in her constituency, specifically Wells Cathedral School.

Question

What steps she is taking to help ensure that children from less privileged backgrounds can access music and dance training. Wells Cathedral school has 80 young people on the music and dance scheme, with a cleaner paying £200 a year for what is typically a £50,000 education. There has been a 10-year drift between inflation and funding.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The Government funds music and dance schemes adequately, including an increase of £36.5 million last year and further £1.3 million for the current financial year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request for review was not addressed; only general commitment mentioned without timeline or details.

How: Funding Adequately, Difficult Financial Circumstances

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
Education
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of the music and dance scheme for local schools in her constituency, specifically Wells Cathedral School.

Question

Can the Secretary of State have another look at this issue to make absolutely certain that pupils benefit from better funding? There has been a 10-year drift between inflation and the amount of money the scheme receives.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The hon. Lady is thanked for her tribute to Alastair Tighe and the commitment to support such schemes adequately, despite difficult financial circumstances; £36.5 million was committed last year with an increase of £1.3 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request for review was not addressed; only general commitment mentioned without timeline or details.

How: Funding Adequately, Difficult Financial Circumstances

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Amanda Hack Lab North West Leicestershire
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of musical theatre and dance in her constituency, specifically mentioning Kristian Thomas Company.

Question

What financial support is given to organisations such as KTC so that they can continue offering valuable education in the arts for all young people in North West Leicestershire?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The Government has invested £425 million in the creative foundations fund to support arts venues, recognising that it is not just about bursaries but also about institutions existing in every part of the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request for details on financial support was not addressed; only general commitment mentioned without figures or timeline.

How: Supporting Arts Venues

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Education Taxation
Context

The MP highlighted the VAT changes that affect specialist schools and conservatoires, making it difficult for talented young performers from lower-income backgrounds.

Question

What assessment has the Department made of the number of families paying VAT on remaining fees, and how many talented young artists are now unable to attend as a result? Could the Secretary of State confirm that bursaries will continue in the 2026-27 academic year?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The bursaries will continue in the 2026-27 academic year, and funding has been increased to £36.5 million last year with an additional £1.3 million for this financial year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific request for assessment not addressed; only confirmation of continuation without figures or timeline provided.

How: Confirmation Of Continuation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
Context

The MP congratulated Sam Ashford and the Livewire theatre on their 25 years of supporting young people in music, dance, and theatre.

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Sam Ashford and the Livewire theatre on its 25 years of support for young people? I pay particular tribute to the work done remotely during covid.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

Of course, I will join in congratulating Sam Ashford and the Livewire Theatre on its 25 years of support and acknowledging the work done remotely during covid.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email