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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what monies have been allocated from the public purse to commemorate the role of women in World War 1 at centenary events.

We have committed more than £10 million in LIBOR funds to support the National Commemorative events delivered by my Department, which mark the key milestones of the First World War Centenary. These have commemorated the Gallipoli Campaign, the battles of Jutland, the Somme and Passchendaele, and a variety of events to be delivered in 2018. All of the events have included female voices, and have reflected the roles played by women and the impact of the war on women.

The Government’s wider programme is designed to support communities and organisations in telling stories of greatest relevance to them through commemorative events, exhibitions and other projects. Projects across the country supported by Government funding and other sources of public funding have commemorated the role of women in the First World War.

The Imperial War Museums’ Centenary Partnership has delivered ‘WomensWork100’, which is specifically focusing on the role of women during the First World War, holding events at the IWM in Lambeth and around the country. 14-18 NOW, the Government’s Cultural delivery partner, has also commemorated the role played by women.

There is also an extensive programme of events taking place in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 1918.