Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, recently highlighted in Parliament the importance of training and education across the performing arts sector during Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP.
Mr Baynes asked the Secretary of State if he agreed with him about the importance of education and training within the performing arts sector – an area which will be championed by the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Performing Arts, Education and Training, which Mr Baynes is hoping to chair in the New Year.
In response, Oliver Dowden MP said:
“I do not want to interfere in the election of the chairman of that APPG, but my Hon. Friend will make an excellent candidate for that position.
“We of course remain committed to ensuring that all children and young people have a broad and balanced curriculum, of which creative education is a key part. We will work with the Department for Education and other valued education partners to deliver high-quality education and training across all disciplines in the arts”.
Speaking later, Simon Baynes MP said:
“It is absolutely vital that there is support available for the performing arts sector, particularly through education and training opportunities. I am hoping to chair the newly-formed Performing Arts, Education and Training APPG in the New Year, which is being set up by Glyndwr Jones, Director of the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre, and I look forward to championing this important sector as it recovers from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
