• Luke Pollard MP welcomed the TUC South West manifesto for enhancing the creative and cultural industries
• The South West has a rich cultural heritage but the sector has suffered under austerity
• The manifesto calls for increased funding and proper advocacy for the sector

Today Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport welcomed the TUC South West manifesto which aims to highlight the importance of the cultural sector to the South West and better support those who work in the creative, cultural and leisure industries.

Luke Pollard MP said:

“The cultural and creative industries have suffered under nearly a decade of austerity and the effects have been felt as acutely in the South West as anywhere else. Those who work in the sector face increasingly insecure working conditions and pay, with a lack of investment in education and local government taking its toll on the industry.

 

“We have a great art and culture sector here in the South West but we must do more to support it. That’s why I am pleased to see this manifesto from the TUC South West which seeks to do just that.”

TUC Regional Secretary for the South West Nigel Costley, said:

“We all benefit from a thriving arts and cultural sector.

 

“These industries greatly enrich the region and are major players in the south west economy. But the sector is fragile and persistently under-resourced.

 

“It’s time the government and local authorities recognise the many advantages access to well-funded arts education and programmes can have for our children and communities.

 

“Government bodies and private investors in the arts must also make good employment standards for every worker a core requirement of their funding.

 

“Like any profession, creative workers deserves a proper wage, decent working conditions and fair treatment.”

 

The manifesto can be viewed here: https://www.tuc.org.uk/research-analysis/reports/manifesto-creative-and-cultural-industries