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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to support the expansion of children's theatres across the UK.

The Government believes it is important for all young people to have access to the very best arts and culture, and will continue to support children's theatres through Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs)and Grants for theArts projects.

For example, 2012 – 2015 (year to date) NPO funding has provided over £74 million to organisations that provide support to children and young people’s theatre, while Grants for theArts has invested £4 million ofNationalLottery funds in theatre projects specifically for children and young people. TheGovernment'sTheatres Taxrelief, launched during the last Parliament,also supports new and touring theatre productions across the UK and includes children’s theatres.