§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on encouraging more school pupils to participate in the arts. [158155]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthEnsuring everyone has access to high quality arts education, from pre-school through to lifelong learning, is a key priority for my Department. We are working closely with partners on a range of policies to deliver this, including the Department for Education and Employment's £270 million Music Standards Fund, the £30 million Lottery funded National Foundation for Youth Music, the £130 million Spaces for Sport and Arts initiative, which will create around 300 multi-purpose sports and arts facilities for primary schools in some of the most deprived areas of the country and the new Artsmark award scheme which has been available to schools since January. We are also establishing 16 Creative Partnerships, targeted on deprived areas, ensuring every school child in the Partnership area has access to an innovative programme of artistic and creative opportunities.