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Written question asked by Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2025 (named day). It was answered by Catherine McKinnell (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Music: Education

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the assessment of the Music Hub programme by the National Centre for Social Research will report on the progression of students.

Answer

The government is investing £25 million capital for musical instruments, equipment and technology from the 2024/25 academic year, across all Music Hub partnerships in England. The proportion of the funding distributed to date by region is set out below, with the remaining funding to be distributed by the end of the 2025/26 academic year.

England
region

Proportion distributed
to date

East Midlands

43%

East of England

30%

London

36%

East and South East

30%

North East

30%

North West

37%

South East

52%

South West

47%

West Midlands

29%

Yorkshire and The Humber

34%

England

38%

The independent evaluation is focussed on implementation, delivery and impact of the partnerships and capital investment, and reported benefits for pupils and schools. Interim findings are due by autumn 2025.

Data on progression at pupil level is outside of the scope of the evaluation, however Arts Council England publishes management information on standards achieved through whole class ensemble teaching, and individual and group lessons, on their Music Hubs data dashboard.

It is for schools to decide whether to seek the support of Music Hub partnerships. Guidance on schools’ annual music development plans strongly encourages them to do so.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
64679
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Education Music Students NatCen Social Research
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk