Nationally Significant Cultural Institutions: Capital Maintenance Costs

Debate between Earl of Clancarty and Baroness Dacres of Lewisham

Monday 2nd November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Dacres of Lewisham (Lab)]

This Government are dedicated to supporting the arts, including the visual arts and the organisations that the noble Baroness mentioned. We had a Budget focused on giving that breathing space not only to individuals and families but to businesses, and that includes our arts, visual culture and music venues. That is something that our Government will continue to support, not only through the £1.5 billion of funding across this Parliament but through the £425 million from the creative foundations fund.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the best ways in which not just the Royal Opera House but other arts and cultural organisations could be supported would be to write off the Covid loans or turn them into non-repayable grants? That is how it was set up for Germany’s institutions, which have long left the Covid era behind them, whereas our organisations still have to pay massive amounts of interest, harmful to our arts, harmful to the organisations concerned and destructive to society, since this is our money which is being moved around in such a detrimental fashion.

[Baroness Dacres of Lewisham (Lab)]

I thank the noble Earl, because he raises an interesting point. I remind the House that this Government were resolute that such recovery funds were loans and should be cleared and repaid. Organisations facing severe financial difficulties can approach the Arts Council to explore adjusting repayment schedules, but this needs to be done under strict guidance and be a measure of last resort.