16.05.2025
The arts are not a luxury, but an essential ingredient in a healthy society. For us to thrive, the arts must too.
However, the UK has one of the lowest levels of government spending on culture among European nations. Cuts are continuing under this government: the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) budget has already shrunk by 6% this year.
This government was elected on the promise of a decade of national renewal. Investing in the arts and culture will catalyse it. With your backing, we can urge the Chancellor to:
🛟 Restore the funding removed from the DCMS budget this year by 2026-27.
🌻 Sustain real-terms growth in DCMS budgets in each year of the Spending Review period, as is planned for overall departmental spending.
🤸♂️ Extend the Government’s commitment to growing funding for schools and local councils, both of which are vital for public access to the arts.
On the petition page, delve deeper into:
🏞️ The Context: what public funding does for the arts, and what the current direction of travel is.
📻 The Moment: what is happening at this Spending Review, and why it affects both the East Midlands and the UK at large.
📣 The Demands: how we chose them, and why they matter now.
📮 And find links for sharing the petition with friends and family.
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