Conservative Party manifesto includes arts premium for secondary schools

The Conservative Party has released its election manifesto, which includes an arts premium to fund creative activities in secondary schools.

This follows the release of the Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos last week, which included commitments to ensure all children have access to the arts.

The Conservative manifesto states: “Over the last nine years we have made real improvements in maths, English and science and given more children access to a rich academic curriculum.

“We retain our commitment to the core subjects and also want young people to learn creative skills and widen their horizons, so we will offer an arts premium to secondary schools to fund enriching activities for all pupils.”

The manifesto does not specify how much the arts premium will be.

Other key pledges relating to the arts include:

• Business rate relief for music venues and cinemas
• £250 million to support local libraries and museums
• Maintaining support for creative sector tax relief

Arts campaign group the Creative Industry Federation said the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos “all explicitly [recognise] the world-leading strengths of the UK’s creative industries”.

Commenting on the Conservative manifesto, director of policy and programmes Caroline Julian said: “The Conservative Party manifesto features some welcome proposals that are in line with our Creative Industries manifesto, including the introduction of business rate relief for music venues and cinemas and commitment to maintain support for creative sector tax reliefs.

“The inclusion of an arts premium for secondary schools to ensure all young people have the opportunity to learn creative skills and broaden their experiences is vital and welcome.

“However, for this to have the best possible impact we urge that it must be accompanied by putting creative subjects back at the heart of the curriculum.”

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