Image source, bbc

Industry bosses have warned a tourist tax could send businesses "off a cliff" and result in a drop in the value of the sector to the Scottish economy.

The head of UK Hospitality said the introduction of a £2 levy per night for visitors to Edinburgh could cost business £175m in the capital.

The comments come after theScottish government ordered a consultation into plans by local councils for a tax.

Edinburgh claims it could raise an extra £11m a year for the city.

Read more here.

Green MSP Andy Wightman asks whether the government will provide an update on what consultation is taking place regarding providing local authorities with the power to introduce a tourist tax.

Finance, economy and fair work ministers face a grilling at portfolio questions from 2pm.

Then MSPs will take part in a debate on the impact of Brexit on international research.

Finally Tory MSP Liam Kerr praises emergency service workers, in a timely debate given the fall out from Bonfire night.

Ms Ferguson says those that get free school meals get free tuition, but those just squeezing by are missing out.

Music is important and does build more skills than some academic subjects, she points out.

She says the people in the middle that are going to miss out, they will be disadvantaged by this.

Image source, bbc

"It should be equal to everybody no matter who you are, or what background you come from, you should be able to get music tuition for free."

I know teachers are very upset by this, it just must be heartbreaking to see pupils dropping out because they can't afford to do pay tuition fees, she says.

She says: "I know teachers have been really upset by the whole situation."

The evidence session on music tuition draws to a close.

"You get maths for free, you get English for free, you even get drama etc for free. So why is music always the first to go on the chopping block?" asks Catherine Mackie.

Ms Mackie says getting a qualification is not the only benefit of music and not everyone will want that.

Ultimately the best solution would be to keep music free for everyone, she argues, pointing to the positive impacts it has on mental health in particular.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont wonders what is happening in other councils across Scotland.

Ms Mackie says she can't imagine West Lothian being the only one, though she adds she cannot speak to every council as she represents Glasgow.

Tory MSP Liz Smith asks what Alice hoped to achieve with her West Lothian campaign.

Alice Ferguson says the campaign ran for a few months and welcomed the opportunity to hear from young people.

I've not had an official response from the local authority but I think the campaign did have an impact on the decision to retain the service, she adds.

Ms Ferguson agrees with the Tory MSP that there is a lot of public support for free tuition.

Alice Ferguson is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and trumpet-player and attends Linlithgow Academy.

She started a campaign to save the under-threat instrumental tuition in West Lothian last year.

SN MSP Jenny Gilruth asks what the £382 a year tuition fee covers.

Alice Ferguson says that gets you one 25 minute lesson a week, sometimes one to one, but sometimes six to ten because the teacher is travelling.

The Linthigow Academy pupil points out in Clackmannanshire, the tuition fee is £500.

Paying £10 for 25 minutes of playing an instrument is just absurd, she says.

Catherine Mackie tells the committee that she has been told several times that people would have loved to take music at school, but they are missing out due to financial barrier.

"You can't put a price on music."

Green MSP Ross Greer asks about the link between income and music tuition.

Alice Ferguson explains that music has become a privilege with low income families not being able to afford the fees.

By charging for music, councils are increasing inequality she adds.

Image source, bbc

Linlithgow Academy pupil and MSYP Alice Ferguson explains the school band has lost people now pupils have to pay £382 a year.

"I know a lot of my friends have now dropped out of music because they can't afford it, which is ridiculous."

Why should you be denied the opportunity to play an instrument just because you can't afford it, says Ms Ferguson.

The Linlithgow Academy pupil says when your friends watch you playing trumpet, but they can't afford to play an instrument, "it's just rubbish".

MSYP for Glasgow Southside Catherine Mackie echoes Alice's point that learning the violin allowed her to sit Higher music.

Ms Mackie explains learning the violin allowed her to join the orchestra and make new friends.

She says: "If I had not learned how to learn to play the violin and saxophone I would not have been able to sit National 5 or Higher."

Image source, bbc

I cannot sing to save my life, jokes Ms Mackie, so she had to learn an instrument to take those exams.

If you don't make music tuition free for young people how will they be able to sit these exams, she asks.

"Without learning to play an instrument, who knows what potential talent we might be missing out on?

"We could have the next Bach, the next Nicola Benedetti, the next anyone in our schools."

Image source, Alice Ferguson

Committee convener Clare Adamson kicks off with a question about experiences of music tuition.

Alice Ferguson tells the committee about a campaign she launched last year calling for free instrumental lessons to be saved in West Lothian.

Introducing a charge means denying young people an opportunity due to the money they have, she says.

"It's not right to deny young people these opportunities."

Music is not about just playing an instrument, but about the other life skills you build she adds.

Image source, bbc

Committee convener Clare Adamson welcomes:

• 16 year old Linlithgow Academy pupil and MSYP Alice Ferguson
• MSYP for Glasgow Southside Catherine Mackie

Image source, THINKSTOCK

MSPs will now continue their inquiry into music tuition in schools:

Giving evidence today are:

• 16 year old Linlithgow Academy pupil and MSYP Alice Ferguson
• MSYP for Glasgow Southside Catherine Mackie

Read the committee papers here., external

MSPs are now taking evidence on the Assigned Colleges (University of the Highlands and Islands) Order 2018 [Draft], external from:

• Further Education, Higher Education and Skills Minister Richard Lochhead
• Scottish government official James Boyce
• Scottish government solicitor Gemma Grant

The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council has proposed the assignation of Argyll College UHI Ltd. (“the college”) to the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The education committee will shortly take evidence on music tuition in schools from two young campaigners.

However it begins by taking evidence on the Assigned Colleges (University of the Highlands and Islands) Order 2018 [Draft] from:

• Further Education, Higher Education and Skills Minister Richard Lochhead
• Scottish government official James Boyce
• Scottish government solicitor Gemma Grant

Image source, bbc

Then the to the main event which is the first session on the music tuition in schools inquiry.

Giving evidence today are:

• 16 year old Linlithgow Academy pupil and MSYP Alice Ferguson
• MSYP for Glasgow Southside Catherine Mackie

Read the committee papers here., external