Arts council fails to increase inclusion - Foster

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated in its Annual Report 2005 that it was 'on course' for achieving its joint targets for increasing participation by under-represented groups in arts events. However the Annual Report also states that since 2001 the number of disabled people attending at least two arts events, and the number of socially excluded people participating in at least two arts events, has actually fallen.

Despite this failure, Arts Council salary costs have risen by 60% since 1997. Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Shadow DCMS Spokesmen Don Foster MP, said:

"The government's claim to be 'on course' for increasing access to the arts is outrageous considering its failure to improve the situation for three out of its four targets.

"At a time when Arts' Council England salary costs are spiralling upwards, more funding should be directed at improving access to the arts.

"But this is not the sole responsibility of the Arts' Council. Real progress requires the Government to reverse its cuts to the Arts' Council's core funding."