Press release - 14 April 2005

NCA welcomes Labour's arts-friendly manifesto

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) today welcomed the Labour Party's manifesto, which firmly supports the aims of the NCA Arts Manifesto. Strong pledges on the arts appear in areas as diverse as the economy, education and older people. There is also an entire section devoted specifically to cultural policy.

The NCA Arts Manifesto emphasised that all government departments should commit support to the arts. It also encouraged future government policy to empower the arts to be both a sustainable career and a pleasure for life. All three of these aims are recognised by the Labour manifesto, which incorporates 70% of the policy recommendations made in the Arts Manifesto.

Victoria Todd, Director of the NCA, said: 'I am delighted that Labour has acknowledged the importance of the arts. The NCA Arts Manifesto was designed to inform and persuade politicians, and it has clearly had the desired effect. Should Labour form the next Government, the NCA will lobby hard to ensure these valuable promises are translated into policy."

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