Music tuition fees go ahead despite pupil protests

Parentsineastlothianwill have to pay £280 annually for their children to learn to play musical instruments, after councillors voted yesterday to abolish free music tuition.

Earlier around 50 pupils from six secondary schools protested outside the council offices .

The fees were approved in February as part of the administration’s budget.

A concession rate of £240 will apply to each additional sibling. Pupils qualifying for free school meals will receive free music tuition.

Shamin Akhtar, cabinet secretary for education, said: “Like all councils, we have significant financial challenges. At a time of increased demand for council services, new policy obligations and inflationary costs, the council has been left with a multimillion pound funding gap and needs to make savings and, or, raise additional income.