Charlotte Higgins makes the familiar charge that “Arts funding has collapsed under 14 years of Tory rule” (Opinion, 19 March). Frankly, we are in a different universe from 14 years ago. All government ministers and departments now agree, as Higgins says, “The arts are one of Britain’s strongest suits.” The Treasury has set creative industries as one of five key sectors of economic growth, adding billions of permanent tax relief support to help fund work, from film to orchestras.
During the pandemic, the arts was the only sector to receive its own support package from the £2bn culture recovery fund. The last Arts Council England budget was increased (not cut), bringing 275 new organisations around the country within its portfolio. Levelling up funds have prioritised further billions in cultural projects. Places such as Liverpool, Bradford, Barnsley, Leeds and Waltham Forest continue to invest in culture – understanding what it means for society. I could go on and talk about the opening of the Aviva in Manchester or the incredible East Bank quarter in Stratford.
