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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure the financial viability of community third spaces.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has policy responsibility for a number of spaces in which communities may meet for social, cultural and sporting activities.

In particular, DCMS leads government’s work with Civil Society, including voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs), which often run community centres and hubs. The department continues to support VCSEs with their financial viability by running grant programmes, growing the social investment market and through funding delivered by our Arm’s Length Bodies.

Through the English Devolution Bill, MHCLG will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ to help local people acquire valued community assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces.