Arts and Cultural Sector: Employers’ National Insurance

Debate between Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood and Lord Bishop of Manchester

Thursday 15th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood (Lab)]

I support and publicly pay tribute to all the philanthropists, both those in this country and those based internationally, who support our cultural institutions and arts. It is one of the most important areas of partnership for cultural institutions. A brilliant project that the government art collection announced is the ninth iteration of the Robson-Orr TenTen Awards—an impeccable partnership between philanthropists and the government art collection, co-created and co-inspired by both the philanthropists and the Government. I should pay tribute to the Conservative Government for introducing its ninth iteration, although we celebrate and applaud its achievements to date.

[The Lord Bishop of Manchester]

My Lords, Britain’s heritage in culture and arts is world-class, but that depends on young people coming forward and having the training, often at a very young age. What more can be done to support the specialist music and dance schools, including Chetham’s School in Manchester, which have been very badly hit by VAT on school fees? That often affects choristers in our cathedrals, and I declare an interest as Bishop of one of those cathedrals. How can we better support those schools so they can survive and thrive and play an important part in bringing forward the next generation of excellent musicians and dancers?

[Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood (Lab)]

I thank the right reverend Prelate for the question. I also pay tribute to the brilliant work of Chetham’s, which is an outstanding school. It is unfortunately not possible to exempt a particular sector of private schools from VAT, but for all of us a priority is to ensure that the arts are back in the school curriculum to enable everyone to start along a talent pathway. Not everyone will get into a specialist school like Chetham’s, but everyone should have the opportunity in every postcode to develop their creative talent, and that is a big priority for the Government.