Arts and Cultural Services Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Lord Razzall
Main Page: Lord Razzall (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Razzall's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
(4 years, 8 months ago)
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Baroness Barran
The right reverend Prelate makes an important point. He will be aware that the Government committed in their manifesto to offering an arts premium to secondary schools to fund enriching activities for pupils; we have committed £107 million of funding to that for 2021-22. On careers progression, good work is going on between Arts Council England and the creative industries body to develop apprenticeships, particularly in this area.
Lord Razzall (LD)
My Lords, I am sure the Minister is aware of the importance of the creative arts and creative industries to the economy in general. Is she aware of a recent survey showing that 42% of employees in the creative industries generally lack the necessary skills, that 22% of employees in those industries come from overseas, and that 10% came as freelance workers from the EU last year? How does all this fit with the Government’s immigration policy?
Baroness Barran
As the noble Lord knows, the Government have set out a points-based immigration system that will recognise skills and talent rather than the origin and nationality of the individual. The UK’s existing rules permit artists, entertainers and musicians to perform at events. I know this has been a concern of a number of your Lordships.