House of Commons debate on Creative Arts Education at Westminster Hall on 18 December 2024
To round off 2024, CDMT is delighted to have supported a House of Commons debate on Creative and Performing Arts Education at Westminster Hall on Wednesday, 18 December, which the Chair of our All-Party Parliamentary Group, Jess Brown-Fuller MP, led.
Much of Jess Brown-Fuller’s opening speech echoed our Manifesto for Performing Arts Education, sponsored by The Mackintosh Foundation and The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, and our report Securing Access to Performing Arts Education for All, both of which were launched at Westminster in June 2024 and September 2023 respectively.
Her speech concluded:
“Government money could be used more wisely in consolidating those funding pots so that they are utilised to best effect by focusing on specialist world-class providers…”
“I finish by reflecting that since the general election the Government have made all the right noises to suggest that a stronger emphasis may be put on creative education. Will the Minister, when she responds, commit to a reform of the English baccalaureate and set out a timeline for our schools to reintegrate arts education into the core curriculum? Will any further work be done on the integration of in-school and out-of-school provision of arts education, such as additional funding for” music hubs to include dance and drama?”
“Finally, I thank the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre for its work in this area. I encourage the Minister, in her spare time over the Christmas recess… to please read its Manifesto for Performing Arts Education.”
The following link to:
- The whole debate
- The Hansard transcript
2025 is set up to be a rewarding year in terms of CDMT’s advocacy initiatives and, in the meantime, we wish you a good Festive Break and Happy New Year!
Note:
The Manifesto for Performing Arts Education and the report Securing Access to Performing Arts Education for All: Building a Stronger Future are both co-authored by Glyndwr Jones and Emily Maloney at the CDMT.