Culture Minister to give evidence to Lords inquiry on theatre industry skills
On Tuesday 28 March 2017 the Culture Minister, Matt Hancock MP, is giving evidence to the House of Lords Communications Committee's Skills for the theatre industry inquiry.
The Committee will also take evidence from Indhu Rubasingham MBE, Artistic Director of the Tricycle Theatre, and Sue Emmas, Associate Artistic Director of the Young Vic. They will give evidence at 3.30pm and the questions they are likely to face may cover:
- School subjects that lead to careers in the creative industries,
- Extracurricular experiences in and outside of school,
- The problem of low-pay and no-pay work for those starting in the theatre industry,
- How individuals of different backgrounds and locations can be encouraged, and supported to work and thrive in the theatre industry.
At 4.30pm the Committee will take evidence from Matt Hancock MP, Minister of State for Digital and Culture at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The questions he could be asked may cover:
- The steps that the Government could take to change people's perceptions of the arts as a professional career choice,
- The impact of increases in the cost of living and tuition fees upon students and those employed in the theatre industry,
- Equality of access to theatre through schools,
- Apprenticeship schemes for the theatre industry, and
- Government policies to mitigate the loss of local authority funding for essential arts organisations across the country.
The Committee will start its evidence session at 3.30pm on Tuesday 28 March in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.
