(Redesigning our full site but in the meantime..)
Is there sense in pursuing a career where you're valued by the public but not the Government?
Rishi Sunak telling people to retrain, with the direct mentioning of musicians and those in the creative industries, is incomprehensible.
How dare our Government try to tell ANY KIND of professional, industry worker or student that their jobs aren't good enough, that they shouldn't even try to pursue it when facing adversity (that COULD BE AVOIDED with Government support) and to instead give up, quieten down, become submissive and go do something else. We've to take advice from a Government who can't follow their own restriction rules and a Prime Minister who downplayed the virus he was later hospitalised for catching? A Government who clearly sees no value in the UK creative industries, which contributes a mear £111.7 billion* to the UK economy, the equivalent to £306 million every day. Not worth much right? To put it in perspective, that value is more than the automotive, aerospace, life sciences, oil and gas industries contribute COMBINED.
British culture has music engrained in its history, its commercial wealth as a nation owes major success to the creative industries within this country. The industry acts as a central pillar of talent, 'unconventional' success and pride - a pride which the Government chooses to boast about when it suits them. A success story they refuse to support and instead look down upon when the world isn't watching. A Government who strip bare the industry that largely contributes to them staying afloat does not deserve to enjoy any part of our industries success.
'Retraining' in itself is a creative outlet, freedom of expression decision - an idea our industry is built upon and celebrates - individuality. It is unfair to use the word 'retraining' in this way or in this context because it's being used almost to cover up the vein of Sunaks punishment aimed at certain industries who are criticising the Governments response. 'Retraining' allows individuals to upskill and possibly find work more suited to them, creating possible happiness and fulfilment - it is not to strip people of a job they are happy working in.
It is offensive and plain malicious to tell an entire industry, over 5 million people (who contribute to the creative economy) that they should give up and try something else. There is no justification for this at all, not when the Government are pouring money into other divisions whilst refusing to support other entire industries, belittling them in the process. It is not only an attack on the industries success and those who work in it but a total disregard and lack of respect for millions of individuals by a 'democratic' countries Government.
This statement not only offended an industry who have spent the last 6 months struggling due to the pandemic we are all facing, but also shows a lack of respect for those who have chosen a less than conventional career. If Sunak wants people to retrain, regardless if the statement was aimed at creatives or not, why did he not provide a list of fields, occupations or services who desperately need staff? Why was there no announcement of a great temporary retraining budget or proposal for one? Why was there nothing but a blunt statement which he then tried to soften with the mention of a 'new reality'?
A 'new reality' which has no culture or arts?
The reaction to this statement and those of the previous have been huge. Social media becomes awash with creatives arguing back and voicing their disdain, feeling powerless in facing a Government who can't see (silent due to COVID) protests from their windows?
It isn't a suggestion or helpful comment, it is an attack on a major economic contributor. The lack of Government support from the start of this crisis is direct disrespect to millions of people working nationwide. Such lack of funding, aid or any form of help until it was too late when the industry was crumbling and near unrecoverable, when enough pressure mounted that they felt they had to do something, has only galvanised an entire industry against those in power.
The total disrespect of talent and art is appalling. It can't be fixed or forgotten with funding being made available or some form of apology. At the start of this pandemic, there was an emphasis on country pride and unison. The industries held out and waited for support which took too long to arrive and wasn't adequate (even though we told them exactly what would be enough). The Government avoided the arts until they ran out of things to talk about and tried to gloss over other major problems by announcing an insufficient culture fund.
Nothing has ever been enough.
The Governments response?
Retrain. Your work isn't worth much anyway.