£220,000 fund for instruments for Welsh pupils

Each council in Wales is set to receive an extra £10,000 to buy musical instruments for pupils.

The funding boost was announced by education secretary Kirsty Williams and will help local authority music services to purchase instruments that can be shared across Wales.

It will be targeted at those most in need.

Williams said: “A young person’s love and talent for music cannot be developed unless they have access to the instrument of their choice, especially for those who want to progress to the next level with individual music tuition.

“That is why I am announcing an extra £220,000 of funding, meaning £10,000 will available to each local authority, through the Welsh Local Government Association, to buy new musical instruments.”

The Welsh Government has also recently announced £1 million to establish a National Endowment for Music, which will enable more young people to access musical opportunities.

The aim is for the fund to eventually generate at least £1m per year, which will be used to fund additional music activities for young people across the country.