Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has launched a mission to ensure every child has access to arts and culture, highlighting that only 8% of people working in TV are working class. She criticizes the previous Conservative government for erasing arts from state schools, leading to a 40% drop in arts GCSEs.
Restoring Arts in Education
Nandy points out that in some parts of the North, no school offers music GCSE or A-level. She says the Tories' message was that arts are only for those whose parents can pay. In contrast, she has already started putting art, music, dance, and drama back in every classroom.
She is launching the Every Child Can programme to help children find their spark and rebuild access to arts and music in communities. This includes building music studios in libraries and supporting a levy on concert tickets for grassroots music venues.
Investing in Youth and Culture
The new £500 million Youth Matters programme will restore youth clubs and services across the country. Nandy also mentions working with the British Museum to bring the Bayeux Tapestry back to Britain for the first time in 1,000 years, with free access for children.
The £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere programme will fund 1,000 neglected arts venues in England. She is also working with the National Film and Television School and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to fund creative careers.
Championing Culture in Towns
Nandy launched the UK Town of Culture competition with Sir Phil Redmond, which saw 400 places apply. The final 15 will be announced early next year.
As head of the new Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, she will drive online safety work, combining creativity with technical brilliance.
Football Belongs to Fans
Nandy criticizes FIFA president Gianni Infantino's plan to sell World Cup stakes, which was thwarted by principled stances, including the FA's boycott threat. She highlights the creation of the Independent Football Regulator to protect clubs and involve fans in decisions.
Supporting Grassroots Music Venues
She praises the Prime Minister's decision to cut business rates for grassroots music venues, calling it an investment in the next generation of artists and protecting places where talent flourishes.
Nandy also celebrates the opening of No10 North, calling it the start of a new chapter in devolving power to communities across the country.
