Calling for an Extension to the Music Hub Capital Grant Deadline

We have written to Minister Gould alongside the Music Industries Association to request an extension to the deadline for spending the Music Hub Capital Grant awarded in 2023. While this funding has already enhanced access to musical learning, initial delays to the spending timetable and wider changes across the music hub programme have made it challenging for hubs to manage the fund alongside other developments. Our letter sets out why an extension is both feasible and beneficial, and also asks for consideration of adding further suppliers to the existing framework. Read the letter and response below:

Dear Minister Gould

 

Music Hub Capital Grant

 

We are writing to you as the membership bodies for the music hub network (The UK Association for Music Education – Music Mark) and the instrument manufacturing and supply ecology (The Music Industries Association (MIA)) to ask you to consider extending the deadline by which Music Hubs must have spent their allocation from the Capital Grant funding awarded in 2023.

 

The Music Hubs are grateful for the additional funding which has been distributed to ensure that access to music education in and beyond the classroom is not restricted by a lack of instruments and other equipment.  The Capital Grant has already transformed musical learning opportunities for many children and young people across the country, including increasing access for children with additional needs.  However, the timescale for spending the funding was delayed initially and it has as a result been difficult for the music hub partnerships to manage the fund alongside other management changes and developments.

 

News last week Arts Council England will be commissioned by your department to act as the fund-holder for the music hub programme until August 2027 removes the barrier which may have been placed on the ability to extend the funding period and (we believe) that the suppliers appointed to the Framework have contracts in place until October 2027 (3 years after contracts were signed).  We therefore cannot see any specific reasons why an extension to the deadline to spend the funding might not be possible, particularly as pushing the deadline close back to say the end of March 2027 would remain within the same governmental accounting period.

 

An extension will ensure that ongoing discussions with schools, in the light of planned increases in access to music, and more broadly arts, education and enrichment, can be considered when considering further purchases.

 

In addition to an extension, we would like to ask whether a few more suppliers might be vetted and if appropriate approved to be added to the suppliers framework.  There have been a number of new companies and solutions that have entered the market in the last eighteen months which are of value to Music Hubs, particularly in SEND settings. Establishing those providers on the framework would allow them to work more collaboratively with Hubs, and ensure such solutions can be sourced within the remaining funding period. Music Mark and the MIA are ready to support your officials to facilitate this process, perhaps providing some sort of approved referral,  if you are willing to consider this additional request.

 

There are many exciting opportunities being developed to support children and young people to thrive including a revitalised arts education and increased enrichment opportunities.  The Music Hub network and the instrument makers and suppliers who support them are ready and able to help realise the government’s vision.  This request simply asks that you facilitate the opportunity for Music Hubs not to rush purchasing without due consideration for what is needed in light of your new policies.  

 

We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Yours sincerely

Bridget Whyte, CEO Music Mark
Anthony Short, CEO, MIA

On 17th March we received a response from Georgie Gould OBE MP, Minister for School Standards:

“I am pleased to hear that the grant is having a positive impact in widening access to high-quality musical learning opportunities across the country. We understand the challenges that Hub Lead Organisations (HLOs) and delivery partners are facing in spending their grant allocations by the original deadline of 31 August 2026. As you will now be aware, Arts Council England will remain as fundholder for the Music Hubs network until 31 August 2027. Music Hubs were also informed on Friday 6 February that the period within which HLOs need to commit or spend the capital grant will be extended by eight months, from 31 August 2026 to 30 April 2027. I understand that this extension has been welcomed by many HLO leaders and should allow them more time to make strategic purchases in response to need and to complete the associated paperwork.

 

Unfortunately, we are unable to add new suppliers to the Framework as the procurement conditions of the grant do not allow this. However, in exceptional cases where current Framework suppliers do not provide the necessary services, Music Hubs can use alternative suppliers.”