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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the reduction in Art’s Council England’s funding for Welsh National Opera on (1) the annual number of performances by Welsh National Opera at venues in England, (2) the overall availability of musical performances in the regions of England, and (3) the number of educational and community projects affected by Welsh National Opera no longer touring in those regions of England.

We recognise the unique and valuable role that Welsh National Opera has to play in our cultural life. The funding settlement it receives from Arts Council England puts it among the highest funded cultural organisations in the country.

Taking into account funding received to support transition to a lower grant level, Welsh National Opera are expected to have received up to £15.25 million over 3 years (2023-26) from ACE.

While DCMS is aware of recent developments regarding Welsh National Opera’s programme, the department has not carried out an in depth assessment regarding their plans. This is because Welsh National Opera is not supported directly by the department, but instead by an arm's-length body, Arts Council England, whose core funding decisions are taken independently from central government.

I will work with colleagues across government and with the Welsh Government to understand Welsh National Opera’s situation.