Govt under pressure to protect arts funding
Thursday, 13 September 2007 12:00 AM
The TUC agreed today to seek assurances from the government that arts funding will not be cut further as a result of the 2012 Olympics.
Delegates at the TUC Congress in Brighton raised concerns the creative industries are set to suffer as money is diverted from arts funding into the Olympic project.
Congress passed a BECTU-backed motion calling on the government to ring-fence future funding for artistic projects, while increasing available funding at least in line with inflation.
BECTU warned of the "catastrophic" consequences of a return to stop-start funding, arguing the industry was already under pressure with an ongoing campaign to raise wages.
A delegate from the theatre union said the industry had been thriving under public subsidiary but this would be put at risk if funding was cut.
Smaller companies are already being forced to close and the tradition for subsidised productions to transfer to the West End could also be compromised.
The 2012 Olympic project has so far diverted £112 million of Arts Council funding away from the creative industries, along with other cuts.
BECTU argues it is "ludicrous" the creative industries have to accept a disproportionate share of the burden of Olympic funding just because sport and the arts are funded through the same department.
Backing the motion, Equity president Harry Landis stressed unions supported the Olympic project but increased regeneration and reconstruction "must not be at the expense of the next generation's spiritual values".
He called on the trade union movement to say "enough is enough" and demand ring-fenced grants for the arts.
Theatre representatives maintain the industry is value-for-money, generating £2.6 billion for the economy in return for £121 million of public subsidy in 2004.
The creative industries now contribute eight per cent of Britain's GDP, exceeding the manufacturing sector's input.
Earlier this summer, MPs called on the government not to allow anymore lottery funding to be diverted into the Olympics.
The Commons culture, media and sport select committee warned the heritage sector had already lost £160 million as a result of the 2012 Olympic Games.
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