Class Inequality in the Arts

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate Excerpts

Thursday 5th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

When you look at that, it all sounds great in practice, but there is a massive regional difference. For example, it might work in London, but it is not going to work in some parts of the north of England. It does not work in every single part. The best thing the Government can do is to make sure that all state schools, which together educate around 93-94% of children, have a good offer for those children in terms of access to arts education.

[Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)]

My Lords, over many centuries, some of the finest artists in all the various forms of art have come from poorer communities and have relied very largely on private patronage to develop their artistic skills, and so on. Therefore, does the Minister think that the Government are doing enough to encourage people to provide private patronage and support to those who have these talents, which are so important?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am a big fan of philanthropy, but, if noble Lords read the report the original Question referred to, they will see that, in essence, our approach is about making sure that young people are aware of the opportunities and breaking down the systemic, widespread barriers to young people accessing the information and knowledge to get on in this area in the first place. We want to make sure that renumeration across the board and low or no pay early on in people’s careers do not stop those without parental income, or access to private financing, getting on.