Policy

A plan outlining how government intends to support growth in the creative industries will be published early next year, a DCMS Minister has said.

Speaking in parliament, Arts Minister Lord Parkinson confirmed the Creative Industries Sector Vision, which had been due to be published in the summer, will be unveiled imminently.

He said the plan will set out government's ambitions for the sector for the period up to 2030, with the aim of driving growth and employment and increasing the positive impact the creative industries play in people's lives.

"I recognise that the delays in publication have been frustrating, but we will publish it early in the new year," he said.

Parkinson said that at the heart of the sector vision is £50m of investment from DCMS to drive growth across the country through the Create Growth programme, the UK Games Fund and the UK Global Screen Fund.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced that she intends to take a period of maternity leave next year.

Donelan, who was appointed Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by former Prime Minister Liz Truss in September, and retained the position when Rishi Sunak took over in October, tweeted today that she will be leaving the post for a "short" time.

"My husband & I are very excited & blessed to be expecting a baby next year," Donelan tweeted.

"I’ll be taking a short maternity leave from DCMS. I’ll reduce the number of constituency visits during this time but I shall still be on hand throughout to help local residents supported by my great team."

Under the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021 the Prime Minister can designate a pregnant minister as a "Minister on Leave" for for up to six months, and appoint another paid minister to temporarily fill the role.

However, there is no guarantee that the minister on maternity leave will be reappointed to the same role after the six month period – with the decision being at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

Donelan previously covered maternity leave herself for Kemi Badenoch who was Children's Minister at the time. Badenoch was moved to a Treasury post on her return, while Donelan was given another role within the Department for Education.

Cultural and heritage activities in Wales are to receive a share of a £4.5m pot supporting the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan.

More than £2.8m is being shared over three years between 22 local, regional, national or independently-run culture, heritage and sport organisations across Wales.

Funded organisations include the Association of Independent Museums, Butetown Arts and Culture Association and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.

The Welsh Government says funded projects “focus on co-production, demonstrating a commitment to placing lived experience at the centre of policy, service development and delivery”.

A further £1.67m is being designated to the Welsh Government’s cultural and sport arm’s length bodies, including National Museum Wales and the National Library of Wales, to “build on existing and new programmes of activity, accelerating their work on anti-racism at a national level”.

Arts Council Wales will also receive a share of funding to put towards the appointment of more Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic creative practitioners.

“Our national and local museums, galleries, libraries theatres, and sporting venues need to be inclusive of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and place,” Wales Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden said.

“Our culture, heritage and sports services must be culturally competent and reflective of the history and contribution made by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to Welsh society.”