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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to paragraph 2.253 in Autumn Statement 2014, by what process funding for First World War Arts projects will be awarded; and over what timescale.

The Government will provide £3 million - (£1.5m in 2015/2016 and £1.5m in 2016/2017) to 14-18 NOW, WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, for a UK-wide programme of innovative cultural and artistic projects during the summer of 2016 to mark major events of the First World War including the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. The programme will have a particular focus on northern English cities given the number of men from those cities who joined the famous Pals Battalions.