Local Labour MP, Amanda Martin MP, has welcomed Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s announcement that after years of Tory neglect, the Labour Government is investing £1.5 billion to save more than 1000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England from closure. The move will fix urgent capital needs and open up access to culture for everyone, everywhere.
- £1.5 billion will be invested in cultural organisations over five years, turning the corner on Conservative underfunding over the last decade and more
- Investment will tackle the need for capital investment to help save 1,000 local cultural venues across the country, restoring pride in place and national renewal
- Funding is a recognition of culture’s power to unite communities in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity
As the cost of living continues to affect families across Britain, funding for our treasured cultural venues will ensure vital, affordable and welcoming spaces are available for communities to come together and celebrate what makes their local area special. This critical investment marks another step by the Government to support families with the cost of living.
This cash boost will help restore national pride in community assets, bring people together and support no or low-cost options for days out as part of the government’s drive to support families with the cost of living. Six DCMS sponsored museums are in the top ten most visited sites in the UK offering free access for millions of Brits each year with this package helping to offer opportunities to engage in culture for families across every community in England.
The investment focuses on the places that need it most, reversing more than a decade of Conservative underfunding. More than £100 million is earmarked for local museums struggling with maintenance and running costs, benefiting up to 200 sites nationwide. The move supports the Prime Minister’s ambition to restore pride in every part of Britain, turning the page on a decade of neglect in our communities while placing culture back at the heart of our national identity.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “At a time when forces seek to divide us, arts, culture and heritage are what bind us together.
“Our local cultural institutions aren’t just buildings, they’re part of who we are as a nation, they help tell our national story, and provide unique opportunities for young people to pursue their dreams.
“This funding will keep the doors open and the lights on at thousands of arts organisations, museums, libraries and heritage buildings that might otherwise have been at real risk of closing. It will unlock opportunities for millions of people who have been shut out for far too long. That is the Britain we are rebuilding.”
Local Labour MP, Amanda Martin, added: “At a time when communities have been underfunded and neglected, our arts, museums, libraries, and heritage buildings are what hold us together. They aren’t just buildings, they are the heart of our towns and cities, places where young people can dream, families can gather, and communities can thrive.
“This investment will keep the doors open, protect thousands of jobs, and ensure that everyone, everywhere can access culture, history, and creativity. After a decade of Tory cuts, this is about rebuilding pride in our communities and unlocking opportunities that have been denied for far too long.
“Here in Portsmouth, this funding is welcome news for our local cultural venues and the communities that rely on them. It will help ensure that arts, heritage, and libraries continue to be part of everyday life for families, young people, and neighbours across the area, no matter their background.”
Last year, the Culture Secretary announced £270 million worth of investment through the Arts Everywhere Fund, which has already thrown a lifeline to dozens of much-loved local institutions. Today’s commitment builds on this further, with additional funding pledged to take investment to £1.5 billion between 2025 and 2030.
The cultural sector currently supports 700,000 jobs across the country and this package will support thousands of jobs for years to come.
