5th November 2025
Mr. Pengelly should look elsewhere for his swingeing cuts
That the EA Chief Executive’s press release today sees fit to include the Music Service in this current round of further cuts is both insulting and tone-deaf, representing another orchestrated assault to the Arts. This vital service supports thousands of our young people, allowing them to grow and indeed flourish mentally and emotionally. Already having just survived previous cuts in funding, more and more of the cost is being passed on to parents, thereby impacting low and medium-income families to the point that music tuition will be a pastime solely of the elite.
Mr. Pengelly has no idea how detrimental further cuts to the Music Service will be to our young people, or how off-key this approach is. ‘Non-statutory’ does NOT mean ‘of no value’.The almost 20% increase to school meals for paying parents could not have come at a worse time, particularly when the Education Minister confirmed that there will be no holiday hunger scheme payments made again this year. Families will be forced to tighten their financial belts yet again, in an attempt to ensure their children are well-fed.
Mr. Pengelly should look elsewhere for his swingeing cuts, and stop targeting both the Arts and the nutrition of our young people.
Marty Lavery – Northern Committee Chairperson