Lord Kirkham (Con)

My Lords, the Government’s clear manifesto commitment was that “the arts and music will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few”. Nothing is more crucial to the fulfilment of this pledge than ensuring continued access to our world-class specialist music and dance schools on the basis of talent, not parental wealth, yet here we are, starving these national treasures of resources and giving them no certainty on future funding. The principal of the Purcell School, the oldest specialist music school, puts a precise number on the shortfall in the MDS scheme this year: £4 million. Coincidentally, that is the sum that the Government have added to MDS funding to compensate lower-income parents for the VAT added to their fees. How simple it would be to bring joy to our specialist music and dance schools, and to secure their futures, by allowing them to retain that money, rather than having it recycled back into the Treasury. The other fundamental that our specialist schools need is certainty. The Government must revert to the historic norm of funding the MDS on a three-year basis, allowing schools to plan their budgets and resources. If they do not do this, the Purcell School believes that the majority of MDS schools will be forced to close down within the next two years. If we want to ensure the future of our world-class orchestras, dance companies, theatres and rock bands, we must cherish the fantastic resources in our specialist schools, particularly if we wish to ensure the continued diversity of players and performers and provide a career path for the gifted, regardless of family financial status. Surely this must be exactly what the present Government desire. If they will the end, they must provide the means.