Government 'out of touch with young people' on arts targets - Foster

2.48.38pm GMT Tue 7th Mar 2006

Yesterday on the floor of the House of Commons, Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture Media and Sport Secretary revealed that current Government arts targets are hopelessly out of touch.

Don Foster MP asked the Arts Minister David Lammy MP "If he is so keen to involve young people in music why is it that the Government target for attending arts events includes classical music, jazz and opera but excludes the music young people are likely to attend, such as urban, rock and world music; isn't the Government totally out of touch with today's young people?"

Don Foster MP has now written to Mr Lammy after the Minister stated the target is kept "under review".

Liberal Democrat research also shows that Government's figures include:

· Art galleries but not carnivals & festivals

· ballet but not poetry/book readings or photography

· acting in a play but not directing the play (or film or TV production) or designing the stage or clothes

Don Foster MP said "I find it deeply worrying that arts funding is based on progress against such patronising, outdated and erratic targets.

"It signals to young talented people aspiring to be cutting-edge musician that their ambitions just don't 'count'.

"If the arts are to get the subsidy they deserve, Government must start afresh with indicators that capture better Britain's vibrant cultural scene."