Artists: Workspaces in Cities

Baroness Grender Excerpts

Monday 19th December 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I agree. This is one of the world’s great cities. One reason for that and for so many people coming to visit it is its vibrant arts scene. All I was saying to the noble Earl was that we want to shift the balance a bit to increase funding outside London. It is part of the tourism strategy as well to show foreign visitors that there is more to this country than just London, albeit that London is a great city.

[Baroness Grender (LD)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree with Josh Baum, a poet from Hackney, who gracefully defines the issue by saying:

“When you see the Waitrose vans driving round the corner, you know the end is coming”?

Will the Minister commit to the Government working with local authorities and in particular the Mayor of London, to ensure that a healthy combination of artists, workspaces and Waitrose vans happily co-exists?

[Lord Ashton of Hyde]

I found it a bit difficult to hear some of that Question because my noble friend Lord Price was chuckling due to the reference to his prior existence. We want a mix of arts, culture, Waitrose and any other supermarket we can think of.