THERE are no plans to pull free music tuition in Renfrewshire schools despite growing concerns about cuts across the country.

Council chiefs have confirmed they will “continue to invest” in instrumental lessons to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to be involved in music.

It comes as thousands of people have started signing petitions across Scotland to oppose proposed cuts to tuition.

Edinburgh City Council has revealed plans for £500,000 of cuts to lessons in the capital, while North Lanarkshire is currently reviewing all aspects of extra-curricular music service provision.

But Renfrewshire Council’s finance convenor John Shaw said the administration remains committed to investing in music in the upcoming budget.

He said: “This SNP administration understands and values the benefits learning a musical instrument can add to a young person’s education and will continue to invest to ensure there are no barriers to participation. We have no plans in our budget to make any changes to our free music tuition programme.

The Gazette: Cllr John Shaw Cllr John Shaw

“In the past year we have been successful in expanding the programme, with an additional pipe band formed for younger musicians, permanent posts created to support piping and drumming tuition, and more instruments and uniforms purchased for young people.”

In November last year it was revealed the number of children receiving music tuition in schools had dropped by more than 1,200 in a year, as more local authorities started to charge for lessons.

West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian and South Ayrshire all began charging for tuition last year while eight other councils increased their fees.

Renfrewshire is now one of only a handful of councils bucking the trend and providing music lessons free of charge.

Teaching union EIS has called on politicians from all parties to work together to protect music in schools.

General secretary of EIS, Larry Flanagan, said: “The EIS is challenging all of Scotland’s politicians, from all parties, to stand up and protect instrumental music provision in the country’s schools.

“Both the Scottish Government and the local authority group CoSLA have been shirking their responsibilities in this area for far too long, while deep cuts have been made to this important aspect of young people’s education across Scotland.

“It is now time for the politicians to put party politics aside, and to work together for the good of Scotland’s young people and to safeguard Scotland’s proud musical heritage.”