Guy asked "Why is the Government trying to destroy classical music in the UK?", in opening a short debate on the health of the music industry in the Lords on 17th April. He said that the "grim reality" is that music faces an "existential crisis" and set out some of the problems affecting the industry:

"The ENO and Britten Sinfonia are in huge difficulties following Arts Council England’s cuts, and BBC orchestras are under long-term threat. GCSE music entry is in free fall and music A-level is now the preserve of the well-off in independent schools.

"One grass-roots music venue is closing each week and the number of music hubs is to be cut by 50%. There is an astonishing failure to recruit enough music teachers and, most cruelly of all EU touring is now tortuously difficult, with bookings for hard-pressed UK musicians in EU festivals down a staggering 45% since the disaster of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. My question is simple: why do the Government seem so determined to destroy classical music in the UK?"

You can read the full debate - including the response from the Minister - here. 

ENDS