House of Commons to debate future of arts today

19 June 2013, 13:37

This afternoon marks the first major debate on arts and creative industries held in the Commons for the past five years.

A debate on the future of the arts is being held this afternoon in the House of Commons. Shadow Culture Secretary Harriet Harman called the debate following an Early Day Motion, signed by 59 MPs, calling for the Government to recognise the importance of the arts and monitor the impact of funding cuts.

Harman said: "The arts are central to the lives of individuals and communities across the country, to their sense of identity and sense of place and to their ability to achieve their human potential. And they are crucial to the national and to local economies. Our creative industries are world leaders, creating jobs, attracting tourism and bringing money to all parts."

Britain's creative industries are worth more than £36 billion a year to the economy, employing around 1.5 million people.