Ahead of the Budget, I have written to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, to ask the government considers a new funding settlement for arts centres so they can continue to serve communities.

This was in response to a letter from the Future Arts Centre, whose members include Norwich Arts Centre and The Garage.

In recent years, venues have taken a substantial hit as a result of the threefold impact of COVID lockdowns, high inflation, and the cost of living crisis.

Any support that can be given to stabilise funding and support capital investment, would help to ensure these venues can continue to operate as spaces which are critical to community cohesion, health and wellbeing.