The new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, who reputedly went to drama lessons when young and learnt the violin, has emphasized the importance of arts education in the UK, advocating for its increased presence in the school curriculum. Labour believes that arts and creative subjects are crucial for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional expression, which are as important as core academic subjects like maths and science. The party claims to view arts education as vital for developing a well-rounded, diverse skill set in students, which can contribute to future careers in the growing creative industries, a sector that contributes significantly to the UK economy.
Critical of previous policies that have seen a decline in arts education in schools due to funding cuts and increased focus on STEM subjects, they argue…
