Arts education is a postcode lottery. Britain must invest for post-Brexit theatre | Nicholas Hytner

Politicians talk up our world-beating arts scene - then cut the classes teaching children creativity through drama, art and music

The creative industries haven't had much of a look-in during this Brexit election. As far as I'm aware, culture secretary Karen Bradley hasn't been allowed out during the campaign to talk about them. "Britain's arts and culture are world-beating and are at the heart of the regeneration of modern Britain," says the Conservative manifesto, politely; but the proposal to double the immigration skills charge will do nothing but damage a sector that thrives on international talent.

The Labour manifesto, which is altogether more concrete about what can be achieved, refers to the creative industries as "a source of national pride", and promises to "put creativity back at the heart of the curriculum". This stops short of a pledge to add an arts element to the Ebacc - as the subset of GCSEs given special status by the government is now known - but is still welcome.

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