The country is a few days away from the 2024 General Election, and politics is on people's minds — everyone from Nurses, Teachers, Civil Servants, Taxi Drivers, Retail Workers, Small Business Owners, Pensioners, Students and many more...
In recent elections, the arts have not been a priority and are rarely highlighted in the national discussion. This is understandable as issues such as the Cost of Living Crisis and the NHS take priority.
But the AmDram Observer has a duty to highlight issues that matter to its readership, and that's what we're going to do. We're also a non-partisan outfit, and we intend to uphold this principle, ensuring our readers can trust our integrity.
Below, we have extracted all the relevant policies from the four main parties in South East London, Surrey, and Kent. We have also looked at the relevant Manifestos and highlighted the points on culture and the arts.
Supporting our world leading creative industries
We believe apprenticeships are a key pipeline of talent into our world-leading creative industries. We will work with industry to deliver a dedicated flexible coordination service so that everyone who wants to work in the film, TV, gaming and music sectors can work on live productions whilst benefiting from at least 12 months of secure training.
We will ensure our creative sector tax incentives remain competitive. The UK is now the second most popular place in the world to make films and high-end TV. That’s a direct result of Conservatives taking action: there have been 1 million new jobs since 2010 and the economic value of the creative industries has doubled. We provided an unprecedented £1.57 billion support package during Covid.
We will ensure creators are properly protected and remunerated for their work, whilst also making the most of the opportunities of AI and its applications for creativity in the future.
Education
We will support children in their transition to secondary school and ensure they continue to receive a broad and enriched education during and after-school, including via our multi-million pound Music Hubs
Local Government
We will continue to support museums and libraries across the country. Government has the power to leverage philanthropy for good causes and cultural institutions.
We will work with individuals, businesses, charities and other networks to find opportunities to unleash this even further. We will complete the review of Gift Aid within the next Parliament.
Extend our Community Ownership Fund to help more communities across the UK take control of vital community assets like pubs, music venues, libraries, green spaces, leisure centres and more
Access to arts, music and sport
The arts and music will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. Culture is an essential part of supporting children and young people to develop creativity and find their voice.
There is huge potential for growth in the creative industries that benefit every corner of the UK. Labour will implement our creative industries sector plan as part of our Industrial Strategy, creating good jobs and accelerating growth in film, music, gaming, and other creative sectors.
We will work constructively with the BBC and our other public service broadcasters so they continue to inform, educate and entertain people, and support the creative economy by commissioning distinctively British content.
Labour will put fans back at the heart of events by introducing new consumer protections on ticket resales.
Education
Support children to study a creative or vocational subject until they are 16, and ensure accountability measures reflect this.
We will also launch a new National Music Education Network – a one-stop shop with information on courses and classes for parents, teachers and children. Access to music, drama and sport has become difficult and expensive because of ticket touting.
Labour will launch an expert-led review of curriculum and assessment … Every child should have a broad curriculum with an excellent foundation in reading, writing and maths, and support to develop essential digital, speaking, and creative skills
Act to create a secure future for higher education and the opportunities it creates across the UK … The current higher education funding settlement does not work
Local Government
Local government is facing acute financial challenges because of the Conservatives. To provide greater stability, a Labour government will give councils multiyear funding settlements and end wasteful competitive bidding.
Culture, Media and Sport
We will support the creative and tourism industries across the UK so that businesses can thrive and people everywhere can enjoy the benefits of sports, music and the arts.
Promote creative skills, address the barriers to finance faced by small businesses, and support modern and flexible patent, copyright and licensing rules.
Negotiate free and simple short-term travel arrangements for UK artists to perform in the EU, and European artists to perform in the UK.
Establish creative enterprise zones to grow and regenerate the cultural output of areas across the UK.
Maintain free access to national museums and galleries.
Boost funding for cultural and creative projects by applying to participate fully in Creative Europe.
Protect fans from being exploited by ticket touts by implementing the Competition and Markets Authority’s recommendations to crack down on illegal ticket resale.
Education
Include arts subjects in the English Baccalaureate and give power to Ofsted to monitor the curriculum so that schools continue to provide a rich curriculum including subjects like art, music or drama.
Expand provision of extracurricular activities, such as sport, music, drama, debating and coding, starting with a new free entitlement for disadvantaged children
Local Government
Invest in leisure centres, swimming pools and other grassroots facilities, and support community sports clubs.
Protect sports and arts funding via the National Lotter
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts, culture and sports are central to people’s mental and physical wellbeing, and to thriving communities. They also make a huge contribution to the UK economy.
Ensure that musicians have access to visa-free travel to the EU through negotiating a reciprocal arrangement at the earliest possible opportunity.
We would insist on the protection of the Intellectual Property of artists, writers and musicians and other creators. We would ensure that AI does not erode the value of human creativity and that workers’ rights and interests are respected when AI leads to significant changes in working conditions.
An end to VAT on cultural activities, lowering the prices of everything from museum tickets to gigs in local pubs and making these more accessible.
Exempt cultural events, including everything from theatre and museum tickets to gigs in local pubs, from paying VAT.
Education
Review assessment targets in schools so that arts and vocational subjects are treated equally within the curriculum
Local Government
A £5bn investment to support community sports, arts and culture.
Keeping local sports facilities, museums, theatres, libraries and art galleries open and thriving.
Protect the night-time economy through a review of planning regulations and giving local authorities the powers to ensure there is space for cultural life
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