To ask Her Majesty's Government what legacies have been left in Merseyside following Liverpool's designation as the European Capital of Culture 2008; and how many of these affect Sefton, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton. [HL1875]

Liverpool's role as European Capital of Culture 2008 not only attracted unprecedented investment in the region, but also helped to raise the profile of culture across Merseyside. Liverpool 08 brought more than £800 million in revenue to the region, on top of the £4 billion that has been invested since 2000, and which has resulted in a number of exciting capital projects, including Liverpool One, the Echo Arena and the Cruise Liner Terminal. These new developments will ensure a lasting economic legacy for Merseyside, both in terms of increased visitor numbers across the region, and also the impact on jobs and skills.

A key success of Liverpool 08 was the relationships which were forged between cultural organisations and between the city of Liverpool and the rest of the Merseyside region, including Sefton, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton. Much of this work will continue, including Halton's Got Talent, Theatre in the Parks and the joint Merseyside projects, Open Art, Streetwaves, Let the People Sing, etc. Furthermore, the new Culture Collective created by Phil Redmond will be working to embed cultural legacy across Merseyside, in particular by continuing the excellent co-operation between the city of Liverpool and the rest of the region, which was so instrumental in the success of Liverpool 08.