Joe Lycett has shared a ‘Manifesto for the Arts’ ahead of the upcoming governmental budget. The manifesto, which was launched at the Sky Arts Awards was written by Lycett in collaboration and consultation with various artists, venues and arts organisations.
The comedian’s manifesto reads: “Serious financial investment is required to ensure the long-term survival of the British arts industry. There are no solutions that remove the need for major additional funding. But there are a number of steps that can be taken right now which don't require extra spending - and these steps can have a massive positive impact on the industry, both in the short and long term.
“This manifesto brings together a number of such measures that I believe will have a significant positive effect on the arts and culture sector. They are mainly addressed to the incoming Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as she begins to set priorities in her new role. As such, they are issues that fall under the purview of the Westminster government and may not apply equally across the United Kingdom. Thanks for reading all the way up to this point, treat yourself to a mini mars bar.”
Lycett then reminds the Labour Government of what they had already promised in their 2024 Party Manifesto: “The government must do all it can to break down the barriers for artists touring in the EU.
“The government must tackle ticket touting and ticket scams. As per the Labour Party 2024 manifesto, they should impose new regulation on ticket resale companies and strengthen consumer rights around inflated prices.
“Business rates are a crucial source of funding for local authorities, who themselves play a critical role in funding the arts. That said, the current business rate system is contributing to the financial pressures that are closing arts venues. Ultimately Labour must enact its manifesto promise to reform business rates, and do so in such a way that protects the creative economy. In the meantime, it should maintain current reduced business rates on venues and studios.”
The ‘Manifesto for the Arts’ continues: “Since 2023, public funders of the arts now face a needless administrative burden due to new subsidy control regulations. The Government should create a streamlined route for ‘culture and heritage’ funding to eliminate this red tape and redeploy hundreds of thousands of pounds per year from administration to the arts themselves.
“Agent of Change planning guidance to be brought into legislation, putting the burden of sound proofing on the developers of new properties, not on existing venues. Additionally, a statutory right of consultation for any development around a music venue.”
While the asks for the shaping future included in the manifesto cover: Copyright and Generative AI: “As suggested by the Council for Science and Technology, the Intellectual Property Office should, as a matter of urgency, clearly set out guidance on what standards or regulations AI companies need to adhere to with respect to copyright of creative content.
Education: “At GCSE, arts entries have declined by 47% since 2010. To address this, the Department For Education must ensure that one of the subjects mandated in Progress 8 is an arts subject, so educational institutions are no longer disincentivised to provide them.
Creative Diversity: “As recommended in the ‘Creative Majority’ report from 2021, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport should have a plan for creative diversity, published and reviewed annually, with associated key performance indicators.
And Leadership: “The Conservatives had twelve Secretaries of State for Culture, Media and Sport in 14 years. The government should commit to taking the cultural economy seriously. There should be an expectation that all secretaries of state across government stay in post for at least three years, and junior ministers for at least two years. Unless they’re shit.
As explained in an Instagram post from Joe Lycett, the Manifesto pre-empts the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves potentially saying there isn’t enough money to fund the arts, and therefore the manifesto focuses on cost-neutral policy changes.
Lycett implores the UK Government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy MP to read his Manifesto for the Arts and implement as many of the points as possible.
“The new government has a unique opportunity to revitalise the sector and the country - here’s hoping they take it,” Lycett adds.
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