Written Question·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·UIN 92527

Museums and Galleries

Tabled: 19 November 2025
Answered: 27 November 2025

Question

Damian Hinds

ConservativeEast Hampshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will consider the potential merits of introducing a statutory definition of civic museums to include independent museums.

Answer

Ian Murray

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no statutory definition for ‘civic museums’ as this is a label originating within the museums sector, which museums may choose to self-identify under. DCMS is advised by Arts Council England on the categorisation of museums: its policies for the sector and eligibility for support schemes are carefully designed to take into account the breadth of operating and governance models across the sector, as well as respond to new and emerging needs, including those faced by independent museums. There are no current plans to introduce a statutory definition of the term.

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