ARTS SECTOR IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

That this House notes with concern that Newcastle City Council is planning budget cuts of 50,000 to the arts; is concerned that this will have an impact on theatres and the arts sector in Newcastle; further notes that the Theatre Royal and Journal Tyne Theatre are well regarded and popular arts venues in the city and that budget cuts will affect these institutions; further notes that these cuts will adversely impact the Independent Theatre Council touring company Open Clasp; further notes that cuts in the Arts Council budgets will affect the Northern Stage and Live Theatre venue in Newcastle and that polling indicates that 79 per cent. of the population believe that the arts should receive public funding and that the National Association of Local Government Arts Officers estimates that for every 1 spent on the arts, a return of 1.67 is realised in additional funding from other organisations and services; supports the campaign by Equity and the Musicians Union for arts funding; and calls on the Government to re-examine the case for arts funding.