Music hubs losing pupils and schools over rising costs

A new survey has laid bare the extent of financial constraints and funding gaps facing music hubs and services in England.

The research, conducted by music charity Music Mark, received responses from 76% of hubs and services across England, which facilitate music education and instrumental lessons in schools.

It revealed in some cases, children and young people are losing access to music education because hubs and services are being forced to increase prices to ease financial pressures.

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83% of hubs and services that responded to the survey said they are facing rising costs relating to building hire, including teaching and performance spaces. Music Mark heard anecdotal evidence that, in some instances, venue costs are rising at over 100% a year.

Respondents also shared evidence of increasing energy bills, travel expenses, fuel, and instrument and repair costs, with some being unable to afford to repair instruments.

To meet rising costs, lesson prices have had to increase. On average, lessons have risen by 6.61%, ensemble prices by 8.41% and the price of instrumental hire by 6.26%.

But music hubs and services told Music Mark the increases won’t be enough to meet the additional costs they face.

In some cases, the increases are causing music hubs and services to lose both schools and parents, with neither being able to afford the price hike.

Respondents shared that the rising cost of living is resulting in an increased demand for access to subsidised lessons costs and bursaries, which in turn increases the need for lesson prices to go up.

“The demand for assistance is now increasing to such an extent that we will have to start saying no. It is heart-breaking to speak to families about their inability to pay for lessons, and their subsequent withdrawal of their children from lessons,” one respondent said.

Rising staff costs

Music Mark’s research concluded music hubs and services are facing a funding gap of between £9m and £12m for the financial year 2023-24, to account for cost-of-living salary rises and additional pension costs.

The majority (94%) of respondents said salary costs were increasing. The 6% who said they were not facing increased salary costs explained it was because they had frozen salaries, budgets were too tight to give any increase, or they had already increased pay in April 2023.

Music hubs and services shared concerns around meeting follow-on costs associated with salary rises, such as national insurance contributions, while almost two thirds (64%) said pension costs were going up.

The music charity’s report added the funding shortfall is set to continue in future years.

Earlier this year, the Department for Education announced that from September 2024, it will no longer support instrumental and vocal teachers employed or engaged by local authorities or trusts through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Music Mark has estimated this will place a further hole in the budget of a number of music services totalling over £1.2m.

The music charity has been advocating for increased government funding for music education to aid the delivery of the government’s refreshed plan for music education.

Bridget Whyte, Music Mark CEO, commented: “This report clearly shows how standstill funding together with increased staff and operational costs is creating a perfect storm which could mean the ambitions of the new National Plan for Music Education in England will not be fully realised”.