In response to the widespread speculation on the Autumn Budget and the prospect of tax hikes and difficult choices on public spending, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has released data from a new survey revealing a desire for more artistic support from the Government.

The RPO’s nationally representative poll asked 2,090 adults which projects they would like to see the Government doing to do more to support. The survey reveals there has been a significant rise in the percentage of adults that want the Government to do more to support the arts in Britain. Ranking at the top of the wish-list for 2025-26 was more funding for music and singing lessons in primary schools across the UK (30 percent – up from 21 percent last year).

There has also been a significant increase in the percentage of people that want the Government to commit more leveling-up funds to support regional venues, arts centres and arts projects across the UK (up from 18 percent in 2024 to 29 percent this year). This comes at a time when there have been vocal campaigns arguing the case that regional and grassroots music venues must be protected.

Moreover, more than a quarter of survey respondents also wanted to see more Government support for arts organizations that work with schools and have active community programs (28 percent – up from 20 percent last year). Other initiatives that the public believe require greater Government support include, making the arts more accessible to young people from all backgrounds (24 percent further reducing the rate of VAT on tickets for concerts (22 percent increasing arts funding for state schools (16 percent and prioritizing music and creative subjects as being important in schools and colleges, versus the current focus on sciences (15 percent

Whilst the call for the Government to support for the arts was strongest in London (89 percent in every region the percentage of people wanting more Government investment in the Arts has risen over the last 12-months. The biggest rises recorded were in the North East (rising from 70 percent to 87 percent North West (75 percent to 88 percent and the South East (77 percent to 87 percent

Huw Davies, Deputy Managing Director at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra commented in a press release, “At the RPO we work with venues across the UK to support local access to orchestral music. Our award-winning RPO Resound programme supports music education and our recent relocation to the London Borough of Brent marks the start of a new chapter in the Orchestra’s long-term commitment to working directly with many diverse grassroots communities across the UK. Our work is passionately supported by our network of donors and corporate partners, but arts organisations need a framework from Government where the arts in this country is valued, nurtured and celebrated for the enormous contribution it makes.”

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