Arts are now the preserve of the elite, says Starmer
It is “immoral” that working-class children are being denied the same opportunities to become Hollywood starts or musical icons as private school pupils, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Labour leader said that “we are holding back masses of potential” because of a decline in arts subjects.
An analysis by his party of major film, television and music awards found that although 94 per cent of British children attended a state school, only 60 per cent of British actors, directors and musicians nominated in the past decade were state-educated.
The awards covered by Labour’s analysis included the main acting and directing categories at the Baftas and Academy Awards, and solo artist nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Labour pointed to figures from the Campaign for the Arts showing a 47 per cent fall in arts subjects being taken at GCSE between 2010 and last year. Starmer said: “It is short sighted and frankly immoral to allow arts and culture to become the domain of a few privileged pupils.” He played the flute, piano, violin and recorder at school. “Growing up in a working-class household, the opportunity to learn an instrument gave me benefits far beyond the music” he said. “it game me the confidence to kick on, and to drive to achieve.”
Starmer has highlighted Labour’s plans to broaden the curriculum to ensure that children do not miss out on subjects such as music, art, design, sport and drama. He is also pushing for Britain’s arts organisations to include more people form poorer backgrounds.
