Khan: I’ll increase donations to the arts

Sadiq Khan has promised to increase support for the creative industries if elected Mayor of London.

Acknowledging that public money was increasingly scarce under a Conservative Government, the London mayoral candidate promised a “new age of philanthropy” for the arts in a speech to the Creative Industries Federation this evening.

“One thing I passionately care about is promoting a new age of philanthropy. In my view the time is ripe to open up a new wave of giving to the city’s arts and culture.

“Public money alone isn’t sufficient, and is increasingly scarce in these straitened times.

“I’ll use City Hall to bring together the city’s wealthiest residents with the aim of increasing giving and donations, so that we can invigorate our arts and culture for future challenges.”

Khan outlined a series of proposals for supporting culture across the capital in his manifesto launch last week.

He pledged to strengthen planning protections for small industrial, start-up and creative workspaces, set up a Love London Pass for discounts to cultural events and appoint a “Night Czar” to lead on London’s night time economy.

Khan is currently polling ten points ahead of Tory rival Zac Goldsmith. The London Mayoral election will be on 5 May.

You can see the full list of promises in the manifesto here.