The following information is taken from an article which was posted on the FMS website towards the end of last year. As yet, there has been no news on the Darren Henley review.

18 November 2010

The Federation of Music Services (FMS), which represents 98% of all Music Services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has expressed grave concerns about cuts being announced to services ahead of the Henley Review of Funding and Delivery of Music Education.

Currently, 65% of local authorities contribute either in cash, kind (administration, buildings, etc) or both to music service funding. On average, local authorities contribute 10.5% of total music service budgets. Remaining funding comes from central government's Music Grant (formerly the Music standards Fund), parental fees, schools and other contributions.

Initial findings from a survey recently conducted by the FMS with its members revealed that around 18.5% of music services receiving local authority assistance are likely to have their funding completely stopped in the future. A further 47% are contemplating cuts of varying levels from 10% to 50%; the remainder are awaiting the outcome of their local authority's deliberations. This means that nearly all services currently receiving local authority support will have their budgets reduced in some way. Some will be triggered immediately in 2011, others over a period of two to three years. For some music services, these cuts could mean either at worst closure, or at best much reduced resources.

To read the rest of this article or to find out more information, please visit the FMS website www.thefms.org