Newly-appointed secretary of State for Culture James Purnell has made his first substantive speech calling for a change in statistical “targets” in the arts: 'Targets were probably necessary in 1997 [when Labour came to power], to force a change of direction in some parts of the arts world. But now, we risk idolising them.'
He has appointed Sir Brian McMaster, a member of Arts Council England, to advise on 'how we can remove crude targets'.

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