Government spending review is ‘deeply concerning’ and ‘self-imposed injury’, arts leaders warn

Arts leaders have given mixed responses to the Government’s spending review, delivered earlier today by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Reeves reaffirmed plans revealed last week to unlock dormant assets in order to “get young people involved in music, drama and sport” – with sums said to amount to £132.5 million.

At the same time, the creative industries have been identified as one of the key “growth driving sectors” going forwards, a move that shows the government has “firmly recognised [the creative industry] for its strategic growth potential” according to Creative UK chief executive Caroline Norbury.

Others were more willing to sound alarm bells. Equity has highlighted that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has in fact had its budget cut – with  administration budget cut by 15 per cent by 2030, representing a major shrinking of the department staff, while the total departmental expenditure will be cut by 1.4 per cent over the Spending Review period, with cuts to both resource and capital spending.

Equity general secretary Paul Fleming said “the cuts are a self-imposed injury to a growth-driving sector of our economy, showing this government is deeply confused about the arts.”

He highlighted the contradiction in messaging, saying that: “One day they are hailing our sectors as critical to economic growth in their industrial strategy; the next they are announcing real terms cuts to the culture department in their spending review.”

Despite the concerns, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy claimed the spending review reflected a “transformational boost” for the creative industries, emphasising that “nearly £3 billion in capital funding” will be used to invest in sports facilities, cultural institutions and youth centres. 

The spending review has highlighted £2.9bn will be used to “safeguard and modernise much-loved cultural and heritage institutions in towns and cities, while expanding access to local sport and physical activity.”

Two equally concerned industry leaders were SOLT and UK Theatre’s co-CEOs Claire Walker and Hannah Essex: “We recognise the difficult economic choices facing government, but are deeply concerned by the real-terms cuts to capital and resource spending for the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport in today’s Spending Review.”

“While the Review claims to deliver a major boost to the creative industries – identified as one of the UK’s key growth sectors – the figures tell a different story. Investment in culture drives regional growth, innovation, and jobs. Savings must come from administrative efficiencies, not by stripping back core investment in the sector.

They highlighted the dire situation facing theatres in the UK: “One in four theatre organisations ran a deficit last year, and nearly 40 per cent of venues warn they may face closure without urgent capital investment.

“Theatre is a cornerstone of the UK’s economy and cultural identity. With long-term, sustainable public investment, it can continue to create jobs, attract private capital, and deliver inclusive growth across the UK.”

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