Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Lavery Excerpts

Monday 25th October 2010 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport was asked—

[Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)]

1. What plans he has for the future funding of community arts projects.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey)]

Future funding for particular arts projects is ultimately a matter for the Arts Council but, as part of its recent settlement, we have asked it to limit cuts to the overall budget for arts organisations to just 15%. When this is combined with an increase in income for the arts good cause from the national lottery, I am confident that community arts projects will continue to be successful.

[Ian Lavery]

Will the Minister tell the House what impact the cut of 29.6% to the Arts Council budget will have on the future success of the creative industries?

[Mr Vaizey]

Although the overall grant to the Arts Council has gone down by 29%, we have asked the Arts Council to limit the cut to arts organisations to just 15%, and when we take into account the significant increase in funds from the national lottery, the overall cut to the Arts Council will be below 12%. That is very good news, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will congratulate the Secretary of State on such a fine settlement.

Business of the House

Ian Lavery Excerpts

Thursday 15th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Sir George Young]

I understand my right hon. Friend’s concern. I think I said in response to my hon. Friend that I would contact the relevant Department and see what action the Government propose to take or recommend to the House before 28 July, which I understand is the operative date.

[Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab)]

The whole House is fully aware of the Government’s vehement opposition to quangos. Will the Leader of the House make a statement on how many quangos and super-quangos will be established as a result of the announcements on the NHS and education, and of all announcements during the Budget and since?

[Sir George Young]

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman is referring to quangos or commissions, but it is certainly the Government’s intention to end up with many fewer quangos than we inherited from the outgoing Government—and quangos that cost a lot less.