Oral QuestionDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to encourage local governments to support arts and culture.

Tabled: 12 February 2026Answered: 26 February 2026

Asked by

Olly Glover

Liberal DemocratDidcot and Wantage

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Answer from Hansard

The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray)

We encourage local authorities to continue to work in partnership with key players in local arts ecosystems, such as Arts Council England, and make the most of the opportunities provided by the mayoral strategic authorities to deliver strategically for culture in their areas. Furthermore, the Government are providing substantial financial support to local governments, committing an additional £3.4 billion in grant funding by 2028-29. That commitment is underpinned by the creative industries sector plan, which includes a £150 million creative places growth fund to support it.