Cultural Sector: Freedom of Speech

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle Excerpts

Wednesday 8th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I say to the noble Lord that I would turn up to hear him speak.

In relation to the question, I am aware of the issues that have been in the media this week; clearly, they have been going on for some time. I note that the society has commissioned an external review by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which has a lot of experience in these matters. This will, I hope, support the organisation in its governance and management, including on issues around freedom of speech, and help it focus on the really important work it does.

[Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that, if arts and creative organisations are forced to rely on philanthropy from billionaires and giant multinational companies, then they are the people who will decide what arts and creative offerings are available to the public? It is crucial that there is proper, decent, democratically decided government funding for arts organisations. That means that we have to tax rich individuals and multinational companies so that money is available for democratically decided allocation of arts funding.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

While I support philanthropy, I am clear that there is a place for government funding as well. We need to make sure that we do not cut off people’s willingness to put money into the arts for fear of repercussions. We have to get the balance right between saying that the state should fund art and recognising that there is a valuable source and tradition of philanthropy in this country. For example, I think of Carnegie libraries. There is a huge tradition of philanthropy in arts and culture in this country that we should celebrate and want to continue, rather than rejecting it out of hand.