Oral Answers to Questions

Justin Madders Excerpts

Thursday 16th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Stewart Malcolm McDonald. Not here. Oh dear, where is the feller?

[Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

10. What assessment she has made of the access working-class people have to the arts.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Karen Bradley)]

We seem to have moved on very quickly, Mr Speaker.

The Government are committed to ensuring that the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, and not just to the privileged few. That is why the Government’s culture White Paper, which was published a year ago this month, sets out a range of commitments to increase access and participation, including a new cultural citizens programme for young people.

[Justin Madders]

Will the Secretary of State read the report on access to the professions by the all-party group on social mobility, which I chair? During our evidence sessions, we heard a great deal about how many young people are completely denied access to the arts and media because they are not prepared, or cannot afford, to take a series of unpaid work placements. That is really limiting access, so will the Secretary of State seriously consider the report’s recommendation of banning unpaid internships lasting more than one month?

[Karen Bradley]

I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his work on the all-party group; I will look carefully at the points that he has made. This Government have done much to change the culture of unpaid internships. I for one have never taken on an unpaid intern; I have always made sure that there is fair recompense for people who make a valuable contribution to my office.