London mayor Boris Johnson has launched his new Cultural Strategy in a bid to help recognise the 'significant' contribution of the capital's arts and creative industries.

The document aims to address a range of priorities and concerns, including the upgrade of the public realm and physical infrastructure, as well as expanding the sector's reach. It is also anticipated that the strategy will help create new opportunities through skills development and jobs within London's art industry, which currently generates £18bn a year for the UK economy.

Meanwhile, the mayor has also called on the government to continue supporting the sector and warned that arts groups could not rely solely on private philanthropy to meet future funding shortfalls. Johnson said: "London's arts and cultural organisations already do a great job at fundraising, but they can't be expected to defy the laws of economic gravity in a prolonged downturn and in the face of necessary austerity measures.

"Continued support and investment in the creative economy is crucial to sustaining the wellbeing of London and the nation."