Sadiq Khan: I'll take the arts as seriously as housing and crime

In step: Sadiq Khan warms up today with performers preparing for the Big Dance
Rashid Razaq21 May 2016

The Mayor has vowed to take the arts as seriously as housing and crime, as he confirmed he will appoint a “night czar” and help to protect music venues threatened with closure.

Sadiq Khan said he would deliver on his manifesto pledges on culture.

In a speech at City Hall last night to an audience from the capital’s creative industries, Mr Khan said he wanted to increase the 800,000 jobs the sector provides in London and the estimated £35 billion it generates for the economy.

“Supporting the arts and creative industries will be a core priority for my administration — right up there with housing, the environment and security — as one of the big themes that I want to define my time as Mayor,” he added.

“There is no question London without culture would be a much poorer place and we can’t rest on our laurels. We face stiff global competition.

“And just as we need transport and housing plans for the next 30 years, we also need a plan for our cultural infrastructure.”

Dancer Akram Khan today joined the Mayor to launch the Big Dance event tomorrow when more than 40,000 people in 43 countries perform a sequence choreographed by the star.

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