Tories to split arts and sport funding

A policy review taskforce, comprising key figures in the arts world, was today outlining a series of measures on how a future government could promote a cultural renaissance in Britain.

The recommendations of the group, headed by Barbican supremo Sir John Tusa, will form the basis of the party's arts policy proposals in its election manifesto. The plans include:

* Separate government departments for sports and the arts.

* A freeze on arts and heritage lottery money going towards the Olympics.

* A greater obligation on local authorities to support and fund performing and visual arts.

* Further tax breaks for donors who support the arts with donations exceeding £5,000.

The taskforce presented its plans today to shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt and shadow junior culture minister Ed Vaizey.

The crux of the policy will be the division of sport and arts on both a local and national level, particularly as the 2012 Games approaches.

Leading figures in the arts world have spoken against the Government slashing budgets to fund the Olympics and other sporting programmes. The solution, says the taskforce, is disbanding the Department of Culture Media and Sport because funding will always go to sport first.

Sir John said: "We recognise that when sport and culture are managed by one department, culture will never get a fair crack. We have gone behind the sterile argument over whether investing in the arts is any good.

"We recognise that for the arts to be a success the support it receives should be more effective and for this to happen we are calling for the establishment of a true Department of Culture."

Sir John added: "Currently local authorities have to fulfil certain criteria within a 'cultural block'. This includes sport and culture and so they spend their budget for this on swimming pools and leisure whilst performing and visual arts are neglected... we do need to see a complete shift."

The arts taskforce has also called for an overhaul of the Gift Aid scheme under which UK charities can claim back the basic rate tax already paid on charitable donations.

The taskforce includes Sir John, the Southbank Centre's head of contemporary culture Gillian Moore, former V&A director Alan Borg and HarperCollins chief executive Victoria Barnsley.