National plan and music service announced for Wales

Wales’ first National Plan for Music Education has been published and the government has committed to increasing music education funding from £1.5m per year to £4.5m per year for the next three years.

Mark Drakeford and Jeremy Miles at St Joseph's Cathedral Primary School in Swansea - Mike Hall

The Welsh government has announced the publication of the country’s first National Plan for Music Education and the creation of a National Music Service, backed by £13.5m.

Covering children and young people aged three to 16, the Plan will be implemented across schools and settings in Wales from September 2022, with a ‘particular focus’ on learners from low-income households and those with additional needs.

Having invested £1.5m per year as a baseline funding for music services and ensembles support since 2018/19, the Welsh government has committed to an additional £3m per year. The overall funding for music education each year will be £4.5m for the next three years.