Image: Science and Industry Museum (The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)
Lisa Nandy’s first speech in the role sets out government’s goal to support economic growth
New Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy set out a broad vision for the new government’s approach to culture, media and sport, at a summit in Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum yesterday.
In a speech to the business and organisation representatives in attendance, Nandy said “rocket boosters” would be put under the creative, cultural and sport industries “to take the brakes off the economy, create opportunity for every child and export our incredible talent to the world.”
She made reference to the museum which she said she had “spent many, many happy times” within as a child, and has since taken her own son.
“He has grown up knowing, as my generation did, that this is his museum, his inheritance – he belongs here, and this inheritance belongs to him,” she said.
“This museum, like so many of your institutions, help to shape and define us as we shape and define them. We pass them down from one generation to the next. And we neglect them at our cost.
“This museum is testament to the spirit of the city that has always believed in itself. And empowered the next generation to believe in itself anew; often despite the odds.
Nandy said DCMS would also “ensure the public appointments we make truly reflect our country in all its glorious diversity. Not to fulfil a quota, but to ensure that our government draws on the creative might of all of our people.”
The successful roll out of the government’s approach to growth in culture, media, and sport would create a “self-confident country, at ease with itself, where all our people see themselves in the story we tell ourselves about ourselves as a nation – and our contribution is seen and valued”, she said.
The speech was the first in a series of events planned by DCMS Ministers across the country to engage with the culture, media, and sport sectors.
Among those to back Nandy were Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England. Wilson said: “We wholeheartedly support the Culture Secretary’s vision to boost the economy by using what makes our villages, towns and cities special, because we know it works; heritage is a catalyst for regeneration and boosting local pride.
Sir Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group said Nandy is “right to point to our role in building a stronger economy. Museums are engines for innovation, they drive tourism and as our colleagues support a better future by igniting young people’s curiosity about science, our work across the globe is increasing the UK’s international clout today.”
Andrew Lovett OBE, Chair of the Association of Independent Museums said the organisation was “excited to get to work with DCMS on unlocking the power of museums and heritage to stimulate economic growth and ensuring that everyone can benefit from our rich history and promising future.”
