Nationally Significant Cultural Institutions: Capital Maintenance Costs

Debate between Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie and Baroness Dacres of Lewisham

Monday 2nd November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Con)]

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I draw the House’s attention to my relevant interests, particularly as a board member of Creative Scotland and a former board member and current sub-committee member of the British Library.

[Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Dacres of Lewisham) (Lab)]

This Government are committed to supporting our world-renowned cultural institutions. Fit-for-purpose infrastructure is vital to that success, which is why we are investing £1.5 billion to address the capital needs of cultural organisations across England. Through our creative foundations fund, the Royal Opera House has been awarded £5 million this year for urgent conservation work and structural repair, safeguarding that premier venue and supporting its progress towards net zero.

[Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Con)]

My Lords, the creative foundations fund, while welcome, will not address the stark capital crisis identified by the noble Baroness, Lady Hodge. Where is the longer-term strategic approach, and what can the Minister say in response to the sector, which has called last week’s Budget a missed opportunity, ignoring calls for theatre tax relief to cover the true cost of touring and excluding theatres from business rates reductions? Rather than giving institutions such as the Royal Opera House breathing space, are these short-term measures not more likely to suffocate ballet, opera and theatres?

[Baroness Dacres of Lewisham (Lab)]

This Government are deeply committed to supporting our world-renowned venues of culture and visual arts. It is important to mention that it has been over a decade since this sector has seen such investment in it—£1.5 billion of investment in arts and culture has definitely raised the bar and it is there to help all the different bodies within the sector. It is also important that there is £425 million in the creative foundations fund, which helps to support capital need, which is challenging for a great number of these industries.