MPs criticise government’s ‘scatter gun’ culture policy

The government's approach to cultural policy is "too scatter gun to be effective" and it must take a more proactive strategic role on music, theatre, film and television, MPs have said.

A report published today by the DCMS Select Committee, which scrutinises government policy, warned that responsibilities for culture are dispersed across too many departments.

It said this has "created persistent issues" for the sector, including in international trade, visas and an ongoing skills shortage.

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The report calls for government to adopt "a cohesive approach" across all departments in supporting cultural production and the creative industries, citing the examples of Canada and South Korea, where integrated cultural policy has paid off.

"The current approach to cultural policymaking by Government is too scatter gun to be effective, particular in comparison to other successful countries with whom we are competing for market share," the report states.

"We recommend that the government take a more strategic approach to policymaking regarding cultural production and the creative industries.

"This could be addressed by DCMS more regularly setting the overall direction by publishing its overall strategy (with reference to specific disciplines, including music, film and television, theatre, etc), with tangible, measurable outcomes, at more regular intervals, that the work of various departments and arm’s length bodies can then work in concert to implement."

The call is one of a series of recommendations made by the select committee as part of a follow-up report into progress being made by government in relation to issues around music streaming.

An initial report on the issue, published by the select committee in July 2021, called for artists to be given a legal right to a more equal share of revenues as part of a "complete reset’ of the streaming market".

While welcoming advances made by the government since then, including the involvement of stakeholders through the Intellectual Property Office and the undertaking of further research, the committee’s latest report highlights frustrations with the lack of discussion on core issues such as artists’ pay.

National strategy for music

The report says more focus is still needed on ensuring creators and performers receive a fairer cut of the money made from streaming music.

It calls for DCMS to develop a new wide ranging national strategy for music including an assessment of the impact digital technology on musicians, songwriters and composers, and on the UK music industry’s potential for future grow.

Damian Green, Acting Chair of the DCMS Committee, said: “Over the last 18 months the government has made some welcome moves towards restoring a proper balance in the music industry, but there is still much more to do to ensure the talent behind the music is properly rewarded.

"As the Committee heard, there is still frustration about the returns for the vast majority of musicians and songwriters. Too many of them receive pitiful returns despite making successful music. The main players need to get together to remedy this in a sustainable way.

"The world of music streaming is highly susceptible to changes in digital technology and the government needs to make sure it is ahead of the game by taking a more strategic role in coordinating policy across departments.

"The government described our initial report as a ‘key moment for the music industry’. It now needs to make sure it follows through on the work done so far to fix the fundamental flaws in the market. British music is a huge national asset and is loved around the world. British musicians and songwriters need to share in this success.”