Culture and Arts: Funding

Earl of Clancarty Excerpts

Wednesday 7th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely right that some local authorities have cut more than others. He is also right that we should encourage the private sector into sponsorship. This is exactly what the coalition Government announced yesterday in the draft clauses of the 2012 Finance Bill. There will be legislative provision for a new cultural gifts scheme.

[The Earl of Clancarty]

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the recent Museums Association report that shows that cuts to local authority funding are already having a direct and drastic effect on many local and regional museums, with cuts to staff, opening hours and events, and the risk of closure. Bolton museums are selling off numerous art works to pay for other services. Will the Minister admit that there is no realistic alternative to proper public funding of local authority museums?

[Baroness Rawlings]

My Lords, the noble Earl makes several important points, and the Museums Association’s cuts survey in June 2011, which he mentioned, showed that many local authorities are still finding it possible to maintain museum services.