LGA responds to culture funding announcement

“This emergency support for our cultural and creative sectors is positive and a vote of confidence in their contribution to society, our economy, and our standing in the world."


Responding to the Government’s £500 million funding scheme to kickstart film and television production struggling to secure insurance for COVID-19 related costs, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:



“This emergency support for our cultural and creative sectors is positive and a vote of confidence in their contribution to society, our economy, and our standing in the world.

“We need to ensure that this funding gets to those places most at risk of losing their cultural organisations; sometimes the only ones in that area.

“Councils are uniquely placed to understand the needs of their communities. It is therefore disappointing that councils have been overlooked and have not been offered a place on the Culture Recovery Board.



“We urge the Board to recognise this and extend an invitation for councils to participate on the Board and we look forward to working closely with all partners to ensure the UK’s culture industry thrives.”

Notes to editors

The LGA is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 5 August, 2pm – 3pm as we launch our new report: Creative Places: how can councils support the creative economy