Partnership 'worth billions to Britain'

The Creative Partnerships initiative, launched by the Government in 2002, brings artists, performers, computer designers, architects and scientists into schools to work regularly in classrooms.

It has been offered in more than 5,000 schools so far, with 164 schools in South and West Yorkshire currently benefiting from the workshops.

But the charity which manages the scheme nationally – Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE) – had its in-year funding cut by 1.6m in June.

With more drastic public spending cuts expected next month, there are fears for its future.

But the new study conducted for CCE by PriceWaterhouseCoopers has found the programme is having a positive benefit worth nearly 4bn to the UK economy.

It highlights the long-term impacts of pupils leaving school with better GCSEs, and takes into account the social costs of crime and truancy, and the improved teacher morale through being involved in the programme.

CCE chief executive Paul Collard said the report shows the programme is offering real value for money to the taxpayer.

"In this tough economic climate, with every penny of public money under pressure and the need to prove that investment yields results, it is vital decisions are made on the evidence of what works," he said.

"This independent report builds on our rich research base to show the real economic impact of the investment in the Creative Partnerships programme."