Because class is not a protected characteristic, a lack of emphasis on working-class people's participation has left the arts a bleak landscape for class diversity.
My question to the Chief Executive of Arts Council England, Darren Henley CBE, at CMS Committee this morning.
Several constituents raised with me the awful situation at the Renaissance Development (SE13) today. I was shocked to learn of conditions within Sienna Alto building and I have asked FirstPort for an urgent update for residents.
Please email my office if you are affected
Vicky Foxcroft MP (centre-right, in front of exit door) sitting and conversating with Telegraph Hill residents at Honor Oak Community Centre. 18 residents are pictured, sat either side of her around a square-shaped table.
We had a fantastic turnout at last Friday's Community Coffee Hour at Honor Oak Community Centre. This was a great opportunity to connect with Telegraph Hill residents and hear first-hand about their experiences, and discuss solutions to the most important issues in the ward.
Judging panellists from right to left: Vicky Foxcroft MP, Hannah Lewis, James Burns, and Aminata Swaray.
Judging panellists (from right to left) Vicky Foxcroft MP, Hannah Lewis, James Burns, and Aminata Swaray watching on during a contestant's speech.
Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge Lewisham Regional Final judging panel and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd-placed contestants posing for a celebratory picture on stage.
The top three Speak Out Challenge contestants posing for a celebratory picture on stage.
I had a wonderful Thursday evening on the judging panel at the Lewisham Jack Petchey Foundation Speak Out Challenge Regional Final. I was truly inspired and moved by the contestants' powerful and inspiring speeches.
This event showed exactly why young people's voices matter.
(2/2) It outlines practical steps to make live music fairer and more accessible - from tackling ticket rip‑offs to improving safety, access, and fan representation.
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
(1/2) I’ve loved live music for as long as I can remember, yet have seen fans’ experiences not be taken seriously in policymaking.
With the CMS Committee now publishing its Fan‑led Review of Live and Electronic Music, we’re setting out a Fans’ Charter to change that.
Arts organisations - especially those supporting mental health like Arts Network in Deptford - provide vital healthcare for many people, not just enjoyment.
Kate & Ishwari say these same orgs are struggling with funding and need actual permanent spaces. I will be taking this back to Parliament.
At the Culture, Media and Sport Committee today, TikTok’s representative assured me that under 13s are not allowed to access the platform.
Yet according to Internet Matters, around 1/3 of 9-12-year-olds use it on a regular basis…
Watch the whole session here www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
(1/2) On the Culture, Media & Sport Committee, we're calling for new ideas for our next State of Play inquiry.
We've already highlighted issues in live comedy, funding for elite deaf athletes and touring barriers - now we want the next overlooked challenges.
Graphic of torn paper headline stating employers penalized for underpaying workers against a red background with bold text saying if you break rules you will pay the price.
New employment rights mean nothing if they’re not enforced.
That’s why the Labour government has created the Fair Work Agency this week - to safeguard our hard-won rights at work. 🦺
Great to see the workings of the Employment Rights Act being implemented this month.
Very pleased to see this legislation laid today, removing a barrier to employment for many people who want and deserve the chance to work.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
More than a third of people with a disability or health condition say they want to work but are held back by a fear of losing their benefits if it doesn't work out.
When I was Shadow Minister for Disabled People, I put forward the 'Right to Try' policy to help alleviate that fear. 🧵
(2/2) Thanks to our Mayor @london.gov.uk, the £30m “Youth Lates” programme aims to bring these clubs to all 32 boroughs.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A graphic of a group of young people sitting side by side with legs dangling, promoting a new late-night youth club in Lewisham by Sadiq Khan.
(1/2) A shocking 81 youth centres closed in London between 2010-2024 under the Tories. With that, young people lost their third spaces.
Now our city is set to get new late‑night hangout spaces for young people offering food, mentorship and mental health support.
(2/2) Thanks to Labour's new support package worth up to £10m a year, children diagnosed with cancer will now have their travel costs to medical appointments paid for.
Families won’t have to worry about additional costs at a time when their focus should be on their unwell child.
(1/2) "It will make a difference for a lot of families and will take the financial pressure off."
Laura Seabright, Labour candidate for Telegraph Hill ward, shares her experience as a parent of a child diagnosed with cancer and how every journey to treatment was heavy - emotionally and financially.
(1/2) Glad to see the Gov introduce a cap on student loan interest - a really helpful move for borrowers right now.
I’ve recently been in touch with the Department for Education and the HM Treasury to share what I’ve been hearing from constituents about rising debt pressures.
Popped into Deptford Literature Festival last Saturday.
Loved the Navigating Culture: Black Male Writers on Britain Today panel discussion and the poetry readings by local poets from Poetry Lab.
Huge thanks to London Writers Centre - Deptford's creativity never disappoints.
My article for Music Week is out today! I talk about why class is still a major barrier to a career in music - and what needs to change.
Excited to take this further and host more roundtables on working‑class access to creative industries.
Read here: www.musicweek.com/talent/read/...
(2/2) Looking forward to exploring how we can strengthen funding and support for live comedy in the months ahead.
You can read the Gov’s letter on progress in the sector here: committees.parliament.uk/publications...
(1/2) On the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee, we're urging the Government to recognise comedy as an art form in its own right.
Grassroots comedy performances make a fantastic contribution to our wellbeing, culture, and economy.
Vicky Foxcroft wearing a stripy top leaning into a shop counter. Anothony from Good as Gold wearing a white t-shirt leaning into the other side of the counter. There are cakes for sale on the counter and they are both smiling
Had a lovely time meeting Anthony, Tom, and the Good as Gold team in Brockley! Hearing about their journey as a small business in South East London was inspiring—and their coffee was absolutely delicious. Thanks for having me! goodasgoldldn.com
Photo of Vicky with SE London Chamber of Commerce board members Tajinder Bhambra, Mary Ivers and Yadav Bhandari. They are pictured downstairs in the Everest Inn restaurant and are standing next to a SE London Chamber of Commerce banner, which shows a map of the area it covers (Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich, Bexley and Croydon).
I enjoyed meeting local business owners at the SE London Chamber of Commerce event at Everest Inn last Thursday.
We spoke about what the Government is doing to support SMEs, as well as how the Employment Rights Act will transform the workplace.
And the clincher - sharing my love of Deptford High Street, voted one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out and home to one of the oldest markets in London.
Did you know Dire Straits formed on the Crossfield Estate in Deptford? I'm always proud to boast about the arts scene in Lewisham North.
Had fun going up against my friend Bambos Charalambous MP for Constituency Knockout on Ed Vaizey’s Times Radio show.
It was a good fight but I’m pleased to say Lewisham North came out on top!
You can hear the whole thing here (about 35 mins in) www.thetimes.com/radio/show/2...
Graphic announcing 80 new youth hub locations, featuring colourful text and cartoon hands pointing.
Millwall Community Trust in Lewisham North is becoming a Youth Hub to help local young people into work!
The Gov has announced that every area in Britain will get a Hub bringing Jobcentre services, council support, employers and training together.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Vicky sitting on a wooden bench in a sunny garden with flowers and greenery.
Brilliant to hear Lewisham Council have been awarded £50,000 by The Veolia Environmental Trust to transform Friendly Gardens park in Deptford.
From wildflower meadows to accessible paths and a wildlife pond, this will be a huge improvement for local access to nature.
#TheLCF
