Access to the arts is the only way to harness its economic potential, says Starmer
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Keir Starmer will today argue that the huge economic potential of
Britain’s creative industries can only be fully harnessed through
better access to the arts for all, and that the Tories attack the
ideas, institutions and industries we should be so proud of in this
country. The creative industries contribute more to the UK economy
than the life sciences, aerospace and automotive industries
combined, and in 2022 arts businesses reached total revenues of
£140 billion, which...Request free
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Keir Starmer will today argue that the huge economic potential of Britain’s creative industries can only be fully harnessed through better access to the arts for all, and that the Tories attack the ideas, institutions and industries we should be so proud of in this country. The creative industries contribute more to the UK economy than the life sciences, aerospace and automotive industries combined, and in 2022 arts businesses reached total revenues of £140 billion, which is 50% bigger than the entire telecommunications industry. Arts, culture & creative industries are why the UK remains second in the Global Soft Power Index, and the UK is the second largest of only four net exporters of music talent globally, exporting £700m in 2023 alone. In a speech to 250 senior leaders from the creative industries, the Labour Leader will say that with a Labour government “the arts will be for everyone, everywhere.” Starmer will set out how his Labour government will work with industry on an ‘Access to the Arts’ plan to secure the future pipeline of British talent for this multi-billion pound industry and ensure creative opportunities across Britain regardless of your background. The launch of Labour’s plan for the sector comes as leading stars – from James Norton to Beverley Knight - back Labour’s plans to improve access to the arts. On Monday (11 March) Starmer pledged to broaden the curriculum to better incorporate creative subjects and give all children the opportunity to explore them. Paying tribute to the global success of Britain’s creative sector, Starmer will say that the creative industries are “essential for our economic growth as well as our personal growth. “2.4 million of us work in a creative industry. It’s worth £125 billion – and is growing fast: the UK is one of only three net exporters of music; we have the second largest art market on the planet, and nobody exports more books than we do. “Our music, our films, our games, our fashion, our literature - what we make and produce is known and loved in every corner of the globe. You’re not just important to Brand Britain – you are Brand Britain.” Despite these huge contributions to the British economy, Starmer will say that the Conservative Government have failed to harness the potential of the creative sectors, leading to crucial pressure points in the talent pipeline that’s vital for industry success. Highlighting the impact of fourteen years of failure, the Labour Leader will say: “They have no strategy for the arts. They have no plan to harness the potential of the creative industries, and no ambition to safeguard the future of the industry by prioritising creativity in schools. “The Tories’ attitude to creative education says a lot about their attitude to the arts as a whole. When they proposed cutting arts funding in higher education by 50% in 2021, they said arts subjects ‘weren’t a strategic priority’ and that they were focused on the subjects needed to ‘build back better’. “Zero sum thinking between the arts and sciences misses the point entirely. There is no building back without the arts.” Outlining the steps his Labour government will take to partner with the sector and harness their ambition and talents for growth, the Labour leader is expected to say: “The creative industries have the power and the potential for levelling up like nothing else.”
Adding that: “We will work together, hand in glove with our
creative industries. No more sticking plaster politics. A long
term, comprehensive plan for a decade of national renewal.
Together, we will raise the next generation of creatives and
harness the power of your industry to create wealth in every
community.” Notes The event will be livestreamed and available on Labour Party social channels. Leading industry figures responding to Labour’s Plan for Access to the Arts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZizv8aRWKg Beverley Knight, Singer and Songwriter, said: “I support the Labour Party’s ambition to allow all children to pursue their passions in the creative space, because I was one of those children.” James Norton, Actor, said: “I support the Labour Pary’s ambition when it comes to making the arts accessible to all children, particularly in regards to the school curriculum, integrating the arts into kid’s lives.” Jeanette Winterson, Author, said: “Show me a child who doesn’t want to paint a picture. A child who doesn’t want to hear a story and tell it back to you. Kids sing and dance. They love music. They invent games and characters. They will build a kingdom out of pots and pans. “Then we put them through a utility education and say that the arts are a luxury item. The arts develop our natural creativity. If creativity is a luxury, then being human is a luxury.” Kate Mosse, Novelist, Historian and Playwright, said: “I went to a 2000-strong state school comprehensive in the 1970s - there, I was offered the chance to learn languages, to play the violin and piano, to take part in drama productions, to try writing plays. Everything I have gone on to do in my career comes from these equal opportunities I was given at school. “Music, theatre, art, just as much as sport, give us the chance to be the people we want to be and to stand in other people’s shoes. The arts level up in the way nothing else can - for every child, wherever they come from and whatever their home circumstances - and transform lives. “Every child deserves the opportunities we used to give all our children. Whether it is for self-growth, or to contribute to the economy - the arts are one of the biggest and most sustained economic drivers - I applaud this initiative to reverse years of rolling back young people’s opportunities and to start to rebuild Britain’s reputation for being a country that invests in the talents of all its young citizens, not just a select few. Damien Hirst, Artist, said: “Art is for everyone by everyone and not just for the rich by the rich. When I grew up in Leeds, I didn’t have any money. I had free school dinners; I had a good art teacher and luckily, I managed to get a government grant to go to art school and Goldsmiths which changed my life. “Without it I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m so happy that Keir Starmer and Labour are showing the initiative and recognising the importance of art and creativity for all young people across the curriculum. Art has the power to change lives as it did mine.” Rachel Whiteread, Sculptor, said: “As we are aware, Cultural Education and sports activities in UK schools have been whittled down to the bear minimum by the Conservative Government. “We need to recognise that in our schools it is essential to teach these subjects from nursery to school graduation. Healthy and creative minds are essential for happy children which will in time bring a thriving and happy country.” Ends Hosted by: Cush Jumbo (actor); Panellists at the event include: Gail Rebuck (Chair, Random House Group), Sam Collins (Acting CEO, UKIE), Kwame Kwei-Armah (Artistic Director, Young Vic), Caroline Norbury (CEO, Creative UK), Es Devlin (Artist and designer). Representatives are due to attend from: Netflix, Amazon, Google, National Theatre, Channel 4, British Academy, Disney, Southbank Centre, English National Opera, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Welsh National Opera, Pinewood Studios, Young Vic, UKIE, Vogue, Burberry, and more. House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, At risk: our creative future, January 10 2023. McKinsey & Company, Assessing the direct impact of the UK Arts sector, November 20 2023. The BFI Skills Review made clear that change is desperately needed to create access to roles such as animators, sound technicians, and hair and makeup artists. |