THE Bishop of Liverpool yesterday warned the city’s Capital of Culture year demonstrated the arts should not be the easy target for public spending cuts.

The Right Reverend James Jones told peers his “great anxiety” was that, whoever wins the next election, cultural budgets would be the first to face the axe.

He said such “vandalism” would be wrong and counter-productive at a time of economic downturn.

Bishop James said the Liverpool celebrations showed how important culture is for regeneration, job creation and community pride.

He also claimed research has proven the arts are vital for health and well-being, and are pivotal in rehabilitating prisoners and treating the mentally-ill.

Bishop James said: “There is more to life than just money. We must be careful not to sacrifice our culture on the altar of our economy.”

He said 2008 reached out to both the international community and local people, particularly those in lower socio-economic groupings, more than 780,000 of whom visited Liverpool’s museums and galleries.

He added: “We cannot be swept aside for short-term expediency.

“Cultural services must not be seen as an easy hit. They must not be treated in a cavalier manner.”

Bishop James quoted extensively from last week’s report, commissioned by Liverpool Council in collaboration with researchers for Liverpool and John Moores Universities, on the economic and social impact of 2008 and its aftermath.

It showed a net benefit to the region’s economy approaching £800m, 1m more hotel beds sold, 3.5m new visitors from the UK and abroad, 15m more visits to cultural attractions and 2m more visits to museums and art galleries.