Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark the 25th anniversary in December this year of the introduction of universal free entry to the UK's national museums and galleries.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

There are currently no plans to mark this anniversary across the Government. Since 2001, consecutive governments have supported free access for all to the permanent collections of DCMS-sponsored national museums and galleries.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what soft power significance they attach to the real estate owned by the British Council across the world; and what steps they are taking to ensure that such property is not sold off.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

On the issue of the British Council's overseas presence, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 3 June in response to Question HL318, but in general, decisions on specific assets or property owned by the British Council are for them to take as they consider appropriate. On the wider issue of the British Council's financial position, I refer the Noble Lord to my statement to the House on 26 March (HLWS1489).

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure the British Council Collection will remain the property of the British Council, and that no part of it will be sold off.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

On the issue of the British Council's overseas presence, I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided on 3 June in response to Question HL318, but in general, decisions on specific assets or property owned by the British Council are for them to take as they consider appropriate. On the wider issue of the British Council's financial position, I refer the Noble Lord to my statement to the House on 26 March (HLWS1489).

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to discuss the breaking down of barriers for musicians and other creative professionals working and touring in the EU at the next UK–EU summit meeting on 22 July.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The UK is committed to supporting touring artists to work in Europe, as set out in the Government’s manifesto.

As the noble Lord will be aware, the summit has been postponed from July 22nd.

We will continue to discuss options with the EU for the Summit to take place at the next earliest opportunity.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to forgiving the Covid loan issued to the British Council in July 2020.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) remains committed to recovering the loan when the British Council's finances allow, consistent with the requirements of the UK's subsidy control regime. We continue to work closely with the British Council and His Majesty's Treasury on the long-term restructuring of the loan and will update Parliament formally in due course. I also refer the Noble Lord to the evidence provided to the Public Accounts Committee on 2 July 2026 by the interim Permanent Under-Secretary, where these issues were discussed in greater depth.