Arts and Creative Industries

Debate between Harriet Harman and Karen Buck

Wednesday 19th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab)]

Apart from the wider values that my right hon. and learned Friend has spoken about, in London alone the arts and cultural sector generates 400,000 jobs and returns £18 billion to the economy. Does she therefore share my disappointment that Westminster city council, at the heart of the west end, has chosen to cut its entire arts and culture budget, leaving it the only local authority in Britain with no targeted arts support at all?

[Ms Harman]

I absolutely agree. For Westminster city council to make cuts of 100% is dangerously like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.