Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the macro-economic situation on the arts sector in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

DCMS is monitoring macro-economic conditions to understand impacts on relevant sectors, particularly the impact of the conflict in the Middle East and broader cost of living pressures. However, we have not specifically made an assessment of impacts in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

DCMS continues to develop place-based policies to support local creative industries. The Government recognises the importance of arts and culture to national life, economic growth, and opportunity. The Government supports arts and culture via the Arts Council England (ACE). ACE has provided funding from 2023-27 for Newcastle-under-Lyme of £1,496,274 and for the wider Staffordshire area of £6,450,334 for the same period.