UK Music has urged Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to reconsider the decision to cut funding for post-16 music qualifications. The proposal will lead to the discontinuation of Level 3 qualifications in music, which equip 16 to 19-year-olds with necessary skills and knowledge to enter the music industry. The current qualifications are offered by RSL Awarding Body, Pearson (BTEC), NCFE and University of the Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body. According to UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive, Tom Kiehl, the proposals will “have serious consequences for learners, educators, the talent pipeline, and ultimately the music industry”.
Kiehl added that the withdrawal of funding could impact accessibility to the subject among students from diverse backgrounds. Dr Oliver Morris, UK Music’s Director of Education and Skills and member of the Music Academic Partnership, said the government’s proposed timeline is damaging and will leave thousands of students facing an uncertain future. He urged the government to reconsider the decision and called for the need to trial alternative academic qualifications without losing any cohorts of students.
Meanwhile, the Music Venue Trust has revealed that 2023 was the “worst year for venue closures,” with a loss of 4,000 jobs in the grassroots music sector, and the cancellation of 14,500 events and 193,230 opportunities for musicians. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) also highlighted the challenges faced by the UK festival industry and launched the “5% For Festivals” campaign. The move aims to raise awareness about the financial difficulties faced by festival promoters over the past five years and encourage music fans to contact MPs to offer their support.
The AIF campaign follows a report that revealed the banning of six festivals in 2024, including Nottingham’s Splendour, NASS, and Dumfries’ Doonhame. The report urged the UK government to offer support to the sector through VAT reduction and other forms of intervention. In response, various stakeholders in the music industry are calling on the government to work more closely with industry leaders to address the current challenges and safeguard the future of the UK’s music industry
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