Children denied access to quality music education - Holmes

4.32.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Oct 2006

Figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats at the start of National Music Week show that the vast majority of pupils at Key Stage 2 are still not learning to play an instrument.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Arts and Culture, Paul Holmes MP said "It is sad that only 13% of children at Key Stage 2 are learning a musical instrument.

"In 1999 David Blunkett promised that every child that wanted to learn a musical instrument would be given the opportunity, yet seven years on the Government has clearly failed to meet this target.

"National Music Week may aim to improve the standard of music education in schools, but with most children still denied access to learning an instrument, good quality music education remains an unachievable goal."