Germany is more cultured than Britain, says composer

One of Britain’s leading composers has attacked Britain for being less cultured than Germany.

Karl Jenkins, 69, condemned Government arts cuts as “tragic” and contrasted the situation with Germany, whose government is increasing spending on culture.

Mr Jenkins, a former member of prog rock band Soft Machine whose classical compositions are now hugely popular on Classic FM, quoted the Germans as saying: “We are investing in the cultural future of our country.”

He told BBC Wales that was how spending on the arts should be viewed, and added: “One would come to the conclusion that [Germany is] a more cultured society, a more cultured nation, I suppose. I think these things are important.”

Arts Council England and the national museums and galleries suffered a five per cent cut from 2015 in the recent spending round.