The Musicians’ Union has criticised UK government plans to slash funding of certain subjects, such as music, at higher education level in England by 50 percent.
The Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator for higher education in England, has opened a consultation on funding for 2021 to 2022, which closes today (May 6). The 51-page consultation document is based on plans proposed by the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson.
“The government proposes that the courses that are not among its strategic priorities – covering subjects in music, dance, drama and performing arts; art and design; media studies; and archaeology – are to be subject to a reduction of 50 percent,” the consultation document reads, adding that while the government wants “provision in those subject areas to continue to be widely available, we believe they are nevertheless lower priority for OfS funding than other high-cost subjects.”
Opposing the plans, the Musicians’ Union has said that the funding cut would greatly affect the organisation’s members’ work, as well as the…
