Arts against the wall
STEPHEN BROWN explains how the savage cuts to Birmingham City Council’s budget mean impending cataclysm its impressive arts sector
THE country is now aware of the staggering scale of £367 million of cuts that Birmingham City Council has to make, but this hasn’t come out of nowhere.
It’s utterly savage and is the culmination of 14 years of austerity. Yes, there has been maladministration in the council’s governance and avoidable disputes with the trade unions, as well as equal pay issues which saw the council’s crown jewel buildings sold off.
Primarily, austerity has torn over £1 billion of government funding away from Britain’s second city. No-one could properly manage 60 per cent funding cuts since 2010 with a growing population and economy.
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