“The creative industries has been one of the fastest growing parts of the Welsh economy for a number of years. The sector doesn’t just create jobs and wealth – it contributes to a strong national brand and helps to promote Wales and its culture and talent to the world. A creative society in its widest sense promotes well-being and a more inclusive society.”
Welsh Government source
This website has avoided introducing any direct editorial political content since it was launched a year ago. Today we are making an exception to that rule.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, has been condemned today by musicians and artists across the land for appearing to suggest that, in the current dire economic climate, musicians and other arts workers should give up the ghost and find other jobs.
We are adding our small voice to those legitimate protests and on behalf of the hundreds of local musicians and thousands of other cultural industry workers who, it seems, are being creatively condemned to stop strumming and drumming and told to check out the checkouts instead.
Whether or not he meant to have this very visible effect, in the simplest terms Mr. Sunak has certainly elevated Philistinism to an astonishing new level and, perhaps more worryingly given his job, has demonstrated an incredible lack of awareness of the economic benefits of this great industry to the UK. The ‘arts’ earn over £100bn for the UK each year. That’s £13 million an hour.
Perhaps he should consider taking his own advice and look to retrain for a different, more suitable, job?
The temporary failure of Western economies to support its beleaguered citizens in an unprecedented pandemic should not be allowed to stifle the next Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Madonna, Oasis or Ed Sheeran, all of whom have been recognised by successive, thankful, governments for the enormous multi-million pound contributions they have made to world culture and their respective national economies.
And, of course, it’s not just music- although that’s where our heart and soul lies. Only this week, the postponement of the next James Bond film, on top of other blockbuster delays, has caused the halting of Cineworld and the threat of 1,500 job losses. That’s how much of an important event it is for the economy.
Here in Wales, you don’t have to be Sherlock to see what impact home based productions are having around the world. Our national identity, as well as our economy, has been partly framed by the fantastic ambassadorial efforts of Sir Tom, Dame Shirley, the Manics, the Stereos and others.
Underneath these global superstars and their riches are millions of young and older musicians and their creative counterparts. Mr Sunak, we can tell you that many are already familiar with the check-outs because music doesn’t pay a family-supporting livelihood to many. They deserve more- much more- and, as a result of your words today, KCL will be campaigning hard not just for live music but for fair pay for those that deliver it.
They deserve a living wage for the pleasure and fulfilment they deliver to their audiences. They make sure we are all enriched by their creativity, performance, and unceasing community contribution.
You, dear reader, know all of this because you are visiting our site. You know that music touches the head, the spirit and the limbs that operate the air guitar and the duck walk.
Together, we are confident we have a simple, unanimous message for the Chancellor.
Music should touch the soul, not the dole.
Keep Cardiff Live.
