skip to main content

More Cuts to Music Education in Scotland Proposed

The MU is fighting against more proposed local authority cuts to music services, which would break the Scottish Government’s pledge to offer free instrumental tuition to all children.

Published: 01 February 2023 | 11:06 AM
Midlothian Demo crowd with MU flag and banner saying 'Don't Stop the Music'.
This week we attended a demonstration in Dalkeith in protest against proposed 60% cuts to the music service. Image credit: The MU © .

The MU reported last week that Midlothian Council is proposing to cut the funding it contributes to music education.

The announcement was met with strong opposition from teachers, parents, pupils and the MU who gathered for a protest outside the Council building in Dalkeith on Tuesday 31 January.

Now we have heard that several other councils in Scotland are considering equivalent cuts.

No way free tuition can be offered to all children if cuts go ahead

Local authorities receive ringfenced funding from the Scottish Government to make free instrumental tuition available in schools. However, this money does not cover the entire cost, meaning that local authorities must use their own budgets to supplement it. Most local authorities in fact spend more of their own budgets on music education than is covered by the Government grant.

Local authorities are now facing drastic budget cuts. As a result, some appear to have decided to cut their music education spending and instead rely only on the Government grant. But since the grant covers only a modest proportion of the cost of delivering the free tuition – typically around 30-40% – there is no way that free tuition can be offered to all children if the cuts go ahead.

The MU is gravely concerned that the withdrawal of local authority funding for music education would transform instrumental tuition in Scotland into a primarily parent funded service, completely undermining the Scottish Government’s pledge to offer free tuition to all. The cuts would also affect our members’ jobs and cause serious long-term damage to the musical ecosystem in Scotland.

Put simply, the cuts must not go ahead

MU National Organiser for Education, Chris Walters, said: “It is tragic that some Scottish local authorities view music education as dispensable so soon after the Scottish Government’s historic pledge to offer free tuition for all. It is vital that the Scottish Government enters into urgent dialogue with local authorities to ensure that its pledge can continue to be delivered.

“The Scottish Government does not appear to have considered that local authority cuts might have this effect, revealing the precarious nature of the current funding arrangements. This is a wake-up call to ensure that music education is more robustly provided for from now on.

“Put simply, the cuts must not go ahead. If necessary, the Scottish Government must provide additional funding.”

Speaking on the cuts in Midlothian, MU Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland Caroline Sewell said:

“This week we attended a demonstration in Dalkeith in protest against proposed 60% cuts to the music service. The plans would be a devastating blow to the community and ultimately render the music service completely dysfunctional and impossible to deliver.

“A formal consultation on Midlothian Council’s proposal is due to be launched imminently and we will be sharing information on how to take part in that along with key points for members to raise.”

 

Members who are affected by any of the proposed cuts should get in touch with Caroline and the regional team.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Top view of an acoustic violin and pernambuco wood bow on a tabletop.

Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today

The MU is calling on members to take urgent action to protect the future of high-quality bow making and the musicians who rely on it, after a proposal to move pernambuco wood from Appendix II to Appendix I.

Published: 10 July 2025

Read more about Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today
MU Head of ED&I John Shortell, with Regional Officer Simeon Scheuber-Rush and MU delegates, on the main stage in front of a blue screen saying “TUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference 2025

MU Champions Global LGBTQ+ Rights at TUC Conference

Last week, MU members represented the Union at TUC’s annual LGBT+ Workers' Conference, where a motion was passed unanimously on protecting LGBTQ+ rights globally, the value of ED&I work, and promoting greater awareness of intersectional, LGBTQ+ inclusive health and safety issues.

Published: 08 July 2025

Read more about MU Champions Global LGBTQ+ Rights at TUC Conference
A panel event from last year in a tent. There are four people sat along a table in front of a crowd.

MU Panels and Workshop Confirmed for Tolpuddle Festival 2025

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival takes place next weekend and we’re pleased to share more details about the MU’s presence at the event – including confirmed panel appearances, a workshop session, and the debut of our brand new union banner in Sunday’s iconic march.

Published: 08 July 2025

Read more about MU Panels and Workshop Confirmed for Tolpuddle Festival 2025
John Shortell wearing a Musicians' Union t-shirt with rainbow logo, holding a flag, during a Pride march in 2023. He is joined by colleagues and other members who are performing as they walk.

MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Named in IQ Magazine’s 2025 Queer Pioneers List

The MU congratulates John Shortell, Head of ED&I, on being named one of IQ Magazine’s outstanding queer professionals in the international live music business. John is a driving force for change, and the Union is exceptionally proud to have him working on behalf of musicians.

Published: 03 July 2025

Read more about MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Named in IQ Magazine’s 2025 Queer Pioneers List