Arts Council of England: Finance

Mr. Hunt
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many regularly-funded organisations will be supported by Arts Council England in 2008-09.

James Purnell
[holding answer 17 January 2008]: I announced in October last year that grant in aid for Arts Council England would rise to £467 million by 2010-11—an increase of £50 million over current levels.

The Arts Council operates at arm’s length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them.

Arts Council England will make a full announcement at the beginning of February when final decisions have been taken.