Government Plan for Music
House of Commons · Written Statements · 13 Jul 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
Music is the shared language that connects us. It crosses boundaries, bridges divides and helps us understand one another. In a time when it feels too many of us have lost the ability to understand one another, music matters more than ever. It is woven into the fabric of our national life. In the UK, a live gig or concert takes place every 137 seconds. It accompanies our celebrations and our sorrows, marks our milestones and brings people together. We are rightly proud that the UK is one of the world’s three largest exporters of music producing artists who light up the world. Music is not simply one of our greatest success stories; it matters deeply to who we are as a nation. That is why, today, we are publishing “Turn It Up: Our plan for music”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/turn-it-up-our-plan-for-music But music’s value cannot be measured only by chart success or export figures. It is a civic space-as important as any high street or town hall-where communities come together, where young people discover confidence and creativity, and where new ideas flourish. When someone is excluded from a life animated by music, we all lose. Our culture is poorer, our communities are weaker, and we miss the talent that might otherwise have enriched so many lives. That is why this plan is rooted in one simple principle: music belongs to everyone. It is broad and inclusive. It should never be the preserve of those whose parents can afford lessons or instruments. Every child...