Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Accessibility of Cultural Attractions

Thursday 26 January 2023 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Department aims to broaden access to arts and culture, particularly for those with disabilities.
  • DCMS funds projects in Blyth Valley, including 96,000 for Headway Arts.
  • Department encourages local authorities to support arts organisations outside the NPO framework.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Angela Richardson
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP is concerned about ensuring cultural heritage sites are accessible to all.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to increase the accessibility of cultural attractions. The Department aims to broaden access to arts and culture, particularly for those with disabilities.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

My Department is committed to broadening the accessibility of our cultural heritage sites across the country. Arts Council England recently announced the 2023-26 national portfolio, which will significantly improve access to arts and culture. DCMS also works closely with David Stanley, the disability and access ambassador for arts and culture, to improve accessibility to the sector for those with disabilities.

Answered
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Q2 Ian Levy
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Projects in Blyth Valley have received significant funding from the Department, including refurbishment of Seaton Delaval Hall and Headway Arts.

Question

In recent months, projects in Blyth Valley have received upwards of £700,000 of funding. On that point, I offer my right hon. Friend the opportunity to experience those projects at first hand, meet the people involved, and sample the excellent fish and chips on the north-east coastline.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Heritage and culture play a vital role in many of our communities, including in the Blyth valley. The Department is funding projects there, including the £96,000 for Headway Arts. I would be more than happy to visit my hon. Friend's constituency.

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Q3 Angela Richardson
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford does outreach work in deprived wards but receives little local authority support outside the national portfolio organisation framework.

Question

To truly level up accessibility to the arts for constituents, what can the Department do to encourage local authorities to recognise and support arts organisations that sit outside the NPO framework?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

My hon. Friend is right to be proud of her theatre's work despite being outside the portfolio. Our Department is committed to ensuring all people have access to arts and culture regardless of location, encouraging local authorities to invest in innovative models.

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Q4 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Unboxed was a £120 million investment for audience engagement, but a TV special accounted for nearly one-third of the total viewership. The questioner wants to know if the intended impact was achieved.

Question

The figure for audience engagement is just over 18 million, but it turns out that a one-hour “Countryfile” TV special did much of the heavy lifting with 5 million viewers. I understand that a wider evaluation is in hand. Does the Minister think Unboxed made the impact intended?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Unboxed has had many successes, bringing cultural and art experiences to places that would not usually enjoy them. It is right that we are evaluating it, including the point about the TV special's role in audience engagement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific evaluation of impact

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Q5 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The questioner wants to ensure that cultural attractions offer full disability awareness training for their staff.

Question

What steps will Ministers take to ensure that cultural attractions in tourist spots offer full disability awareness training?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The hon. Lady is right: when we talk about access for all, we mean it. The disability unit has launched an enhanced programme of disability and access ambassadors to drive progress in increasing accessibility.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific steps taken by the Department

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Q6 Barbara Keeley Lab
Taxation Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The tapering of orchestra and theatre tax reliefs will affect the accessibility and sustainability of cultural organisations.

Question

The reduction in orchestra and theatre tax reliefs from April may cost some national organisations up to £3 million, leading to job losses and cuts. Will the Minister ask the Chancellor to review urgently this reduction?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The hon. Lady raises important points. Both I and my ministerial colleagues have regular discussions with Treasury colleagues, raising the issues she highlighted.

Partly answered

Not addressed: urgent review request

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