Arts and The Budget
As Darling’s Budget (we might as well call it that) unravels, the sigh of relief breathed by the arts world will turn to one of disappointment. Gordon Brown called them all in last Thursday to discuss their issues, so we knew they would receive an inflation matching settlement. But what has been hidden in the small print is cuts to heritage, a sector which has now lost £100 million over the last ten years. But then Labour hates history. Add to this that the arts and heritage now receive approximately £120 million a year less from the Lottery, and Labour’s claim to have presided over a golden age for the arts seems somewhat tarnished.
All this is bad enough. The additional problem was that this spending review was so late, very few arts organisations were able to plan. They spent the last few months worrying about cuts which they had been told to expect, and had no idea what budget they would receive.
All pretty pathetic. Off to the Frieze Art fair now, will report back.
canvas said on October 13th, 2007 at 10:07 pm:
If a government doesn’t support art - and ignores the poor - then it doesn’t deserve to be in power.
Labour has turned its back on the poor - enslaving them with benefits. At least David Cameron promises social mobility and an escape route out of poverty.
Art enriches all our lives.