The Stage

Brown warns national security greater priority than arts

Published Friday 9 July 2004 at 10:35 by Ruth Gillespie

Chancellor Gordon Brown has warned the arts industry that defending the British public against terrorism will be his priority in the forthcoming spending review.

Speaking at the British Council’s annual lecture at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Brown said he was prepared to spend whatever was necessary on security to safeguard the British people.

He added: “Thinking globally in an insecure world - and more important in the world since September 11 - requires us of course to take necessary steps to discharge a British government’s first duty, the defence of its citizens, the people of Britain.

“And as we look forward to next week’s spending review, I will make available the resources needed to strengthen security at home and take action to counter the terrorist threat at home and abroad. Those who want to cut in real terms the budget even for security will need to answer to the British people.”

His comments come just days after Arts Council England chairman Christopher Frayling warned of a return to the stop/start funding policies of the nineties, unless the government provides ACE with a real term increase in funding, plus a further £20 million. The Treasury is due to announce its departmental budgets for the next three years on July 12.