Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

UK City of Culture 2029 Competition Launch and UK Town of Culture Competition

03 November 2025 · Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Proposed by Lisa Nandy Lab Wigan

Culture, Media & Sport

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

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At a glance

Key points

  • The UK City of Culture 2029 competition is launched with a prize of 10 million for the winning city.
  • A new UK Town of Culture competition for 2028 is introduced with a prize fund of 3.5 million.
  • Places are invited to submit Expressions of Interest for both competitions.

Issue summary

The statement launches the UK City of Culture 2029 competition and introduces a new UK Town of Culture competition for 2028.

Action requested

Places are invited to submit Expressions of Interest to become the next UK City of Culture, with prize money of £10 million for the winner. Additionally, towns can apply for the UK Town of Culture competition, with a prize fund of £3.5 million for the winning town.

Key facts

  • The UK City of Culture programme aims to boost civic pride and community cohesion through cultural investment.
  • Bradford (the current titleholder) has engaged over one million people in its first six months.
  • Over £1 billion additional investment has been stimulated by past UK City of Culture programmes.
  • More than 70% of attendees feel a greater sense of pride after attending events.
  • Bidding places will receive bid development funds and support from the competition criteria refresh.
  • The competition is open to large towns, cities, regions, and groupings with a clear focus and identity.
  • Applications for UK Town of Culture will open shortly, offering £60,000 in bid development funding per shortlisted town.
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