Financial Support for the Music and Dance Scheme

That this House notes the vital contribution of the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) in enabling talented young people from all backgrounds to access world-class specialist training in music and dance; further notes that MDS providers have historically operated under multi-year funding settlements, enabling them to plan staffing, outreach programmes and bursary support with stability and confidence; expresses concern that current Government commitments extend only to the 2025–26 academic year, leaving specialist schools and Centres for Advanced Training facing financial uncertainty; recognises that the lack of a multi-year settlement risks limiting access for talented pupils and undermining the long-term sustainability of nationally significant cultural institutions; and calls on the Government to return to a multi-year funding model for the MDS to ensure continuity, equitable access, and the future health of the UK’s cultural and creative sectors.