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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking through the Creative Foundations Fund to increase access to arts and culture across the UK.

The government understands that cultural infrastructure must be fit for the future and ensure everyone has access to high quality institutions in the places they call home. The new Creative Foundations Fund will invest £85 million to support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. This will ensure their buildings and infrastructure will provide improved user experience for visitors and ensure they can be enjoyed by visitors for many more years to come.

Guidance for the fund was published at the end of May and Arts Council England will be accepting Expressions of Interest from 30 June. With grants available from £100,000 and up to £10 million, this fund is a significant opportunity for organisations to address their capital needs.