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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations in the report by the Cultural Cities Enquiry Enriching UK cities through smart investment in culture, in particular the importance of (1) investment, and (2) corporate social venture funds and other city-wide philanthropy platforms, in increasing the ability of cities to use culture to drive inclusive growth.

We welcome the valuable contribution of the Cultural Cities Enquiry report to the cultural sector and fully recognise the benefits that investment, alongside philanthropy, can bring to a cities cultural offer.

The Government appreciates the impact of different investment models in driving inclusive growth, and my officials will consider the recommendations set out in the report closely.

In support of the report’s vision, my department has announced funding of up to £110,000 to support early adopters across England in establishing ‘Culture Compacts’. These will bring together local partners to deliver a shared vision for investing in culture at a local level to drive inclusive growth. Arts Council England will begin work with the Core Cities Group and the Key Cities Group to identify a number of cities to become early adopters.