Save the Arts

The arts are in crisis with Treasury spending cuts biting deep into the cultural fabric of the country.

Today, The Independent joins The Independent on Sunday in launching a campaign to press the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, to use his Budget next month to introduce one small measure which will help fend off future theatre and orchestra closures.

He should introduce a change in taxation law to enable people to make tax-free donations to theatres, museums, galleries and orchestras. A simple system could be introduced to replace the muddled and cumbersome system of tax relief through covenants and the Gift Aid scheme. Mr Brown has already moved to help the film industry, join us in urging him to offer help to the rest of the beleaguered arts world.

Join the campaign, page 2