Britain’s creative industries are the envy of the world. Our writers, musicians, actors and athletes are a source of national pride and an important part of our national economy. Our libraries and museums enrich our lives with access to literature and local history. However, after ten years of Conservative cuts, our creative sector has now been devastated by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Labour in Wiltshire will do everything that we can to protect and develop culture and leisure in the county. Libraries, museums, theatres, sports facilities and music venues are not luxuries – they are at the heart of our community, vital to our physical and mental wellbeing.

Labour will:

• Keep all current public libraries open, including mobile library services.

• Develop the wider use of public libraries as community facilities.

• Continue funding of Wiltshire museums and support new projects.

• Ensure that funding from new housing developments is used to improve the provision of sports facilities and playing fields throughout Wiltshire.

• Ensure that every secondary school student is taught basic cookery skills, including how to prepare healthy, affordable meals at home.

• Support our local music and arts venues, galleries and festivals through increased funding and promotion.