To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of instrumental music within the education service. (S6O-03901)

The Government has transformed instrumental music tuition in Scotland’s schools by supporting councils to eradicate unfair music tuition charges, and it has invested £39 million in the policy since 2021. The most recent instrumental music services survey confirmed that more than 61,000 pupils participated in instrumental music lessons in the academic year 2022-23, which is the highest number since the annual survey began 11 years ago. Those figures alone speak for themselves on the importance that the Scottish Government places on instrumental music.

I thank the minister for that answer—and I have raised the issue in the chamber before.

Last week, East Ayrshire Council voted to transfer its instrumental music services to the East Ayrshire Leisure Trust as a cost-saving measure, despite opposition from teachers, unions and parents. In doing so, the council is relying on drawing a distinction between music tuition for Scottish Qualifications Authority qualifications and tuition for younger pupils or extracurricular activity. I am concerned that the degradation of music education sets a dangerous precedent, which puts access to music education for younger pupils at risk. Will the minister agree to meet me urgently to discuss what can be done to ensure that access to instrumental music tuition for pupils in East Ayrshire is protected at all ages?

I recognise Brian Whittle’s interest in the matter, and I will pass his request on to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. It is, of course, for individual councils to make decisions about their own provision, albeit in a context in which music education is a core part of the curriculum and there is equity of access to instrumental music tuition. Scottish Government officials have engaged with East Ayrshire Council, which has provided assurances that it is not its intention to reintroduce charging and that the move is, in fact, designed to protect the service from potential cuts to education. I understand that the council has indicated that pupils will continue to have music under the school curriculum, and it has insisted that there are no plans to introduce a two-tier tuition model that separates SQA tuition from non-SQA tuition. Clearly, we will be looking for those undertakings to be delivered.

I hope that that offers Mr Whittle the reassurance that he is understandably seeking, and I will pass his request on to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.