Actor Samuel West challenged politicians to say what they will do to reverse the “damaging” cuts in funding for the arts, as culture went centre-stage in a general election for the first time.
The star of Mr Selfridge and Howards End, who is chairman of the National Campaign of the Arts, told a cross-party hustings at the Royal Opera House that “other countries see investment in the arts as a way to aid recovery”.
Germany and Sweden have increased arts budgets for seven years running but the UK Treasury has cut funding by a third since 2007, he told the event organised by the new Creative Industries Federation.
Tory culture minister Ed Vaizey said the “significant” rise in lottery funding for the sector meant overall support was comparable to the last government.
Shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman said Labour would make less “extreme” reductions in funding and give a manifesto pledge that every child was entitled to a creative education.
Only the Greens pledged more money for both the Arts Council and local authorities.
