Museums and libraries boosted with main new funding package deal to avoid wasting them from closure
The Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will next week unveil funding for more than 1,000 arts and cultural organisations across England, including £114 million for local museums outside London
The Government has vowed to protect museums from closure(Image: Getty Images)
Museums, libraries and heritage buildings are set to be protected with a major new funding package to help boost art and culture.
The Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will next week unveil funding for more than 1,000 arts and cultural organisations across England, including £114 million for local museums outside London battling crumbling buildings and shrinking budgets.
This is expected to benefit more than 150 sites, in a vital boost after years of Tory neglect. Government sources say the move marks a clear break with the Conservatives failed levelling up experiment, which made big promises to communities but left too many cultural institutions struggling to survive.
READ MORE: UK city is home to Europe’s most beautiful cathedral – not LondonREAD MORE: Pretty London walk passes ‘cute cafes and book shops’ that only takes 45 minutes
Ministers say at a time when “forces” are seeking to divide the country and undermine our shared cultural spaces, the arts, culture and heritage are crucial to the nations’ national story and bringing people together. Ms Nandy said: “At a time when some seek to divide us, culture is what unites us and tells our shared national story.
“The last government used our museums and heritage spaces to drive divisive culture wars, whilst also depriving them of the funding they needed and letting many fall into decline. As shared spaces, it is no wonder that many who have a narrow and uncompromising view of our country’s future are seeking to undermine our great cultural and heritage sites.
“This government will not allow that to happen. We will invest to safeguard our arts organisations, museums, libraries and heritage buildings that might otherwise have been at real risk of closing.”
UK library numbers fell by over 17% between 2010 and 2023, with around 764 closures. The funding forms part of the Government’s action on the cost of living, and will provide affordable and welcoming spaces for communities to come together.
With local culture at the heart of the funding package, the support is for arts and culture in every community, ensuring it is not just for those in London or wealthy areas. The PM has repeatedly vowed to restore pride in every part of Britain, including by increasing opportunities for people to engage in world-class arts and culture, and learn about their local history.
The cultural sectors currently support 700,000 jobs nationwide, with ministers hoping the new package will secure thousands more for years to come.
