Live Webchat with Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries (Monday 31 January, 1.15-2.15pm)

[HelenMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, will be joining us for a webchat this Monday lunchtime.

Ed's responsibilities range from libraries and art galleries to broadband access, internet and film.

Ed says said that, ever since he was appointed last May, it has been a priority for him to keep in direct contact with people who want to ask questions, raise issues or make comments and suggestions.

So, do feel free to ask away - either on the day or, if you can't join us then, by posting your question in advance here.

The TalkTalk filter is an opt-in filter which demands a level of understanding and awareness which many parents just don't have.

It isn't, actually, particularly difficult to filter, using a combination of blacklists, image software and keyword software. That's how we filter for child abuse sites. You sound very much as though you're stepping back on this one Ed.

@LilyBolero

If you want to get kids involved in music, get singing going in schools again. Keep SingUp's funding going. Provide opportunities for massed singing for kids. You don't need to play an instrument, everyone can have a go, and you can perform in amazing venues, with loads of other people, and perform some really WORTHWHILE music.

I hate competitive music - marking people out as successes and failures. For kids, the great thing is to DO music, not to be in a competition with some dream of performing with Gary Barlow, which the vast majority of them won't.

It's one scheme among many. Presumably if you dont like School Stars, we should also ban Young Musician of the Year?

And while we're on it, can you please let us know what day to day volunteering you and the Cabinet do?

I mean, in practical, hands-on terms.

(Or is working with the Lib-Dems what counts in the Tory party as 'charitable work'?)

oh yes, tondy.

norty mr vaizey, getting all cross there when clearly Classic FM will be loving this brand positioning.

@Querelous

Does the World Service not come under culture and communications for the UK?

No, it's a foreign office responsibility

agreed Lily.

It's recognised that learning music provides all manner of other skills and has benefits to other subject competencies and areas, including maths...

the cuts are obscene and unecessary.

in addition, touting Classic FM as the key advisors on music policy, when there's already BBC Young Musician of the Year, Sing UP, Youth Music and Arts Council providing highly skilled and experienced professionals who could do this work is ludicrous.

why bring in external, private companies when we have the skills in the public sector already, and they have no bias towards profit making enterprises...

You mentioned you were taking up the issue of the UK conservatoire sector losing its entire HEFCE funding for teaching, with HEFCE.
I hope you do, because a lot of students will quit the UK sector, or not come here in the first place, in order to study at fine European conservatoires at a fraction of the £9k we will probably have to charge annually

Couldn't agree with Crystylline more.

Mr Vaizey, what do you make of the fact that not one poster here has come on to say 'good work chaps, that's the way we'd like to see things going?' What would it take to make you reconsider your direction?

Collective music making is the way forward to involve more children, from wider backgrounds in music. Not singling out children who are already acheiving. There are some amazing projects from other countries which show that you don't have to dumb down to make music inclusive

"It's one scheme among many. Presumably if you dont like School Stars, we should also ban Young Musician of the Year?"

That's quite a facile reply if you don't mind me saying. I'm not keen on any competitions, but otoh, YMotY by its nature is only for the 'elite' classical young musicians. I hate the new format of it, trying to make it more 'user-friendly', rather than focussing on the music, but as yet, nobody has compared it to the 'X-factor', trying to jump on the Simon Cowell bandwagon, which is a fairly significant difference. It is also not funded (to my knowledge) by the 'music industry'.

There is SO much good music in this country, and so much more that could be done, please don't resort to banal triviality. Like I said, singing is a fantastic, all-inclusive thing, and yet this is dying a death in many schools.

@gloriadepieromp

Hi Ed,

It's Gloria De Piero MP, shadow culture minister. Heard you were taking questions today so wanted to submit a few of my own. Am sure some fellow mumsnetters will be interested in your answers too.

As you know hundreds of libraries are under threat of closure. Have you looked into how or whether children's reading groups might be affected?

Many of the mums I know say their young ones can't get through picture books fast enough at toddling age. They say their local library is really helpful in the early years. Have you picked this up at all?

There's a growing issue with employers only advertising online - when people are out of work and don't have a computer at home, they are advised to go to the local library to look for vacancies. Given 1 in 4 don't have access don't have a computer at home, libraries are more important than ever aren't they?

As the minister for libraries what kind of powers do you have to stop a library closing?

Hi Gloria, sorry you got lost in the thousands of posts that have gone up. Local libraries are fantastic for early years - speak to Havering who are pioneering signing up all babies at birth - they have quadrupled parent/toddler sessions in their libraries. And also, of course, for internet access. You do understand the powers that we have to intervene. Good to see you on here and thanks for your very positive comments.

also, Darren may be volunteering his time, but Mr Vaizey isn't.

We're paying him to have meetings with a private company to determine UK Music Policy/talent competitions. Not great value for money really.

It's no good increasing parent & toddler sessions when we have no library to go to!

'thousands'? 165 and counting.

Oh really, forgive my ignorance but I thought that it had lost part of it's funding and was now to be funded as part of the BBC? So why did Jeremy Hunt have a say in the process then?

'You do understand the powers that we have to intervene.'

Gloria might but we don't.

lol, Aitch. was thinking the same thing.

@OhBuggerandArse

Mr Vaizey, what do you make of the fact that not one poster here has come on to say 'good work chaps, that's the way we'd like to see things going?' What would it take to make you reconsider your direction?

OhBuggerandArse, great to have the opportunity to reply to you. I think people don't come on a site like this to cheerlead or simply say how great things are - they come on to express their worries and concerns.
I'm slightly dismayed that Darren Henley and School Stars have been dismissed out of hand - I hope there will be a forum on the Henley Review.
I do think it's important that people raise their concerns about library closures, of course I share them and we are doing all we can to work with local authorities.
I have had a great time on here. It's amazing how quickly the time goes, and it does feel odd coming here and then being made to type for an hour and a half!

Quite, OhbuggerandArse. But I think he simply thinks we're dyed-in-the-wool lefties (which I'm not). Or he wouldn't trot out such facile, supercilious answers.

And I really would have liked to say that they were doing something positive with CCCI. But there's not even a straw to clutch is there? And all done with no mandate, no consultation and no real regard for other viewpoints. (Unless you're a private company with a vested interest.)

My confidence in the coalition has just rocketed after this...

"Mr Vaizey, what do you make of the fact that not one poster here has come on to say 'good work chaps, that's the way we'd like to see things going?'"

Yes, that is a bit odd OhBugger when there are so many passionate Maggie fans on that other thread. Why aren't they here applauding 'small government' and 'letting the market decide' - poor Ed needs all the help he can muster.

Thank you for coming on, please take some 'market research' data back to Tory HQ and think again about some of your plans.

Why not try talking to some parents and/or music professionals/teachers. I am in every category, and would be very happy to be consulted, I'm sure many others would be too. You'd be more likely to find some good ideas then.