Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has launched an Early Day Motion in the Commons urging support for new writing talent.

Mrs Anderson, a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said it was vital that new writers were supported and developed so that audiences got an interesting and diverse range of work.

The motion states that new writing should be at the heart of all subsidised theatres in the UK and the development of writing talent should not fall off the agenda of Arts Council offices or other funding bodies such as local authorities and theatres.

Mrs Anderson wants the Government to ensure that new writing is supported adequately and remains a key component of the cultural programme both nationally and locally.