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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department plans to announce the shortlisted places for the UK Town of Culture 2028 Competition.

We are delighted by the energy and enthusiasm the UK Town of Culture competition has generated amongst towns. We previously told applicants that we would announce the shortlist in Spring. As a result of the exceptional response we have received, the expert advisory panel require additional time to assess all of the bids. We will now announce the shortlisted towns by the end of July.