Oral Answers to Questions

Samantha Niblett Excerpts

Thursday 28th November 2024 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Samantha Niblett (South Derbyshire) (Lab)]

1. What steps her Department is taking to help support the creative industries.

[Jo Platt (Leigh and Atherton) (Lab/Co-op)]

11. What steps her Department is taking to help support the creative industries.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)]

This Government are prioritising the growth of our creative industries, which are vital to our economy and showcase the best of creativity and culture. In the last few days alone, I have been pleased to announce £13.5 million of funding for two new clusters in Liverpool and the west midlands.

[Samantha Niblett]

I thank the Secretary of State for her answer, and I just want to expand on it. In South Derbyshire, we have the Melbourne festival of art and architecture, which turns 20 next September, and the brilliant CircularityHUB, where people of all abilities can go to use the media studio. However, when it comes to young people wanting careers in the creative industries, what more can this Government do so that we can thrive in these industries at home, not have to get out to get on.

[Lisa Nandy]

I am aware of the huge ambition that my hon. Friend has for South Derbyshire, and the contribution that its people can make to our arts and culture and creative industries. This Government are supporting those aspirations with a £3 million expansion of the creative careers programme, so that young people can find those jobs and get access to those opportunities. With the Education Secretary, we are reviewing the curriculum to put arts and music back at the heart of the national curriculum, where it belongs.