Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Here is the “Derry Girls” now—I call Jim Shannon.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

The Secretary of State took my words, so I will change my question. Historically, there has been a higher concentration of artists and creative organisations in urban areas. However, talent and creativity are widespread across rural areas in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. What steps will the Secretary of State take to address regional disparities in arts funding and ensure that individuals, regardless of where they are based, have fair and equal access to creative opportunities?

[Lisa Nandy]

I am fairly sure that is the first time the hon. Gentleman has been called a Derry Girl, but I think it might stick. I agree with him: there are significant challenges in different parts of the country, and some areas of the country have been hugely underfunded. We are correcting that. As he will have heard in the recent exchange with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Online Safety, that is not without controversy. I maintain that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, and this Government have a responsibility to change that.