Cultural leaders appeal major cuts

Cultural leaders from a range of the creative industries have appealed to the prime minister ahead of the government's spending review, due later this year.

Representatives from Arts Council England (ACE), the National Theatre, Tate, Barbican, and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) among others gathered to oppose the proposed 25 per cent cuts to the sector.

They accepted that some cuts would be necessary, but said that the proposed level of savings by the government would be damaging.

Vicky Heywood, chief executive of the RSC, told the Guardian: 'We would be mounting less productions, employing less actors and designers, we would have to increase ticket prices and we would travel less around the country.'

She noted that the RSC contributes GBP 68 million a year to the regional economy and according to ACE, every GBP 1 invested in culture in the UK produces GBP 2, highlighting the importance that the industry has on the British economy.

Bodies welcomed the efforts that the government said it would make towards encouraging philanthropy.