Andrew Lloyd Webber's Charity Supports Campaign to Save City of Edinburgh Music School

The Times has reported that Andrew Lloyd Webber's charity has intervened to save a Edinburgh music school that is in risk of closing due to a "cost-cutting exercise."

City of Edinburgh Music School has nurtured talent all across Scotland, whose alumni include Shirley Manson, the singer with the rock group Garbage, the jazz trumpeter Tommy Smith, and the late Martyn Bennett. Lady Lloyd Webber, a trustee of the charity said, 'At a time when access to the arts is being eroded on a number of levels, we would ask Edinburgh city council to reconsider its proposal to close the school as part of its cost-cutting exercise.'

Local authorities have been advised that they could save £363,000 by 'reallocating the musical expertise provided by the school,' however the Scottish government has indicated that they will block the council move.

A spokesperson for the council told The Times, 'It is no secret that the financial position facing all local authorities, including Edinburgh, is still extremely challenging and we need to find £21 million of savings to deliver a balanced budget for the 2018-19 financial year. I would encourage residents to have their say on our budget consultation when it is published next week.'

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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