Category: Culture

  • Andy Burnham – 2026 Comments on World Cup Changes

    Andy Burnham – 2026 Comments on World Cup Changes

    The comments made by Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, on 28 July 2026.

    Let me say this very directly.

    Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

    The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.

    Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.

  • Sepp Blatter – 2026 Comments on Political Interference in Football

    Sepp Blatter – 2026 Comments on Political Interference in Football

    The comments made by Sepp Blatter on 6 July 2026.

    Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies. If a U.S. President intervenes with the FIFA President — and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match — the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?

    Football must never become a playground for political power.

  • Lisa Nandy – 2026 Comments on National Lottery Review

    Lisa Nandy – 2026 Comments on National Lottery Review

    The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, on 1 July 2026.

    The National Lottery is played by millions of people every single week. It is not just public money, it is literally the public’s money and they must be in the driving seat of how it is spent.

    But for two decades no government has asked people how they want their money to be spent. Decisions are made hundreds of miles from communities who know best and favour larger organisations who can meet the needs of the system, rather than bending the system to work for the small, grassroots organisations who are the lifeblood of our communities.

    This Government is determined that will change. With this consultation we are bringing people back into the conversation. They will write the next chapter in the story of the National Lottery and of our country.

  • Fiona Twycross – 2026 Speech on Libraries

    Fiona Twycross – 2026 Speech on Libraries

    The speech made by Baroness Fiona Twycross, the Libraries Minister, at Libraries Connected in Kenilworth on 10 June 2026.

    Thank you, and I’d like to say a massive thank you for the invitation for me to speak here today. I’m absolutely delighted to be here, I’ll just say a few words at what I hear has been a brilliant and at times very moving conference.

    I’ve been the Libraries Minister responsible for Libraries for just over a year and as someone who always has at least one book on the go, it is an absolute delight and privilege. And I’ve been very much enjoying meeting a number of you when I’ve been on visits around the country.

    It’s great to see skilled and experienced people in the libraries sector coming together to share your insights and expertise. I know you work tirelessly – and enthusiastically – to deliver great services to your communities.

    I understand you have been covering a range of topics that are important for the sector – censorship, access, trust and reading for pleasure. I am also really pleased to see there has been a session on data as that is another priority for me, as it helps me sell what the sector does across Government.

    These are all issues that we are taking seriously in the centre of Government too and I would like to talk briefly today about how I will be carrying them forward into the forthcoming libraries strategy. And I think we had hoped that we’d be able to unveil the strategy today. We’re not quite there, but hopefully we’ll get there soon.

    I want to start by saying – and I don’t need to say this to you – but libraries matter. From the pop-up site I saw in Grimsby last month to the civic hub that is Liverpool Central, every time I visit a library I hear such enthusiasm from staff and users about the work you do and the impact you have, from supporting health and wellbeing, building businesses and showcasing arts and cultural experiences, libraries offer so much.

    Libraries matter because they are places where everyone can build their knowledge and skills. People depend on libraries for trustworthy information in the face of misinformation and a rapidly changing world. They also support freedom of speech, a core value of our society. I know that this is a lively topic of debate for the sector, not least here in Warwickshire, and I want to support you to see library collections continue to represent a variety of perspectives and topics.

    I am clear that the tone in which politicians talk about our public libraries can also have a chilling effect, and I am also clear that our libraries should be for everyone. When I was reading through my speech on the train, I thought it actually makes me sad and angry that I even feel I have to say that out loud.

    Throughout the year, it is great to see themed displays of books celebrating the diversity across our communities. Books about so many topics are at the heart of what libraries offer and it is always good to see you celebrate projects centred around reading.

    I was really pleased to see last weeks’ Libraries Change Lives Week focused on supporting the National Year of Reading through initiatives like ‘Discover Your Library Day’.

    I’m also proud that DCMS gave a £150,000 funding boost to 72 library authorities covering 100 places, providing opportunities to extend reading projects and activities. These are all places which are disadvantaged by high deprivation, weak social infrastructure and low library engagement.

    I look forward to finding out and hearing more about the impact of projects to deliver increased membership and use of libraries in those places, during 2026 and beyond.

    I’m also delighted that some of the regional winners of the Library of the Year award are here today. They were recipients of an £1,000 cash prize from DCMS with the money going towards continuing local reading projects.

    But the value of libraries – and why libraries matter – is often only available to people if they are members. I’m keen to see even more people signing up and using their local library, and getting the benefits that come with membership. Libraries are essential services in any neighbourhood. After all, public libraries in England have 6 million members and around 143 million physical visits a year.

    That is four times the number of people who attend the Premier League, Championship and EFL Leagues 1 and 2 annually!

    A third of adults regularly use their library, but there’s still more we can do to open up library services to more people, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

    I want everyone to find something of value at their local library. I want to support you in your work removing barriers to library membership such as worries about the affordability of fines. And I also want to increase active use and share the brilliant practice we see in so many places.

    I would like to see every child as a member of their local library so the next generation can enjoy the lifelong benefits libraries bring. The benefits they brought to me, in other words. We will work with the Local Government Association and others to consider how places like Best Start Family Hubs, schools, and other local public services can be supported to promote children’s library membership.

    I know the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, wants to make a difference in the places that need it the most. This is why DCMS has published our Culture Priority Places. These will help us prioritise and target investment in those areas to build social and community cohesion and to enhance opportunity where outcomes are poorest.

    We have also committed to continuing the Libraries Improvement Fund until 2030. From this year LIF assessments will integrate our Culture Priority Places. And over the course of this parliament, we will invest up to £27.5 million in the Fund, supporting library services to upgrade physical and digital infrastructure to meet changing user needs.

    I would like to see us collectively work together to ensure public libraries are well run, well used and well connected. And, more than anything, have an impact in their local communities.

    I will continue to promote the critical contribution public libraries can and do make to so many important Government strategic objectives. For example, I recently met with Ministers in the Department for Education to talk about how we can build stronger partnerships between libraries, schools and Best Start Family hubs.

    When I or the Libraries Team have these discussions, it is always valuable to have robust data and evidence on library usage and impact that we can use to help to make your case and inspire policy makers across Government.

    Public libraries have always been engines to deliver change and I want to shine a spotlight on how libraries support the government to provide opportunities for all.

    I do recognise the difficult context that libraries are working in, and the constraints that this creates. Our view is not that libraries should deliver more without resource, but that it can be highly effective and cost effective to maximise libraries’ role in communities.

    I know that you are all waiting quite patiently for the forthcoming government libraries strategy. Many of you have already shared your views and feedback to help shape it, so thank you for that. And I hope I have given you a flavour of some of the things you can expect to see in it. I really value the input you have provided and those conversations I have had with people when on visits. I’d especially like to thank those of you who provided excellent case studies on the impact your library services have on your communities. They’re a really inspiring read. From Oldham, who are placing local data at the centre of service design, to Leicester who are working seamlessly across public and academic libraries. We have been blown away by the response.

    The examples and all of the case studies underline what we absolutely know to be true: that you are making a difference in people’s lives in the communities you serve through your work.

    I am committed to support you from central government to do that the best you can. We all have a part to play in ensuring that our public libraries continue to be the gateway to opportunity.

    One thing I did want to say ahead of us publishing the Libraries Strategy formally is to give you some assurance about the national development agency function. After consideration and discussion with the Arts Council, sector bodies and the British Library, and with a number of representations from some of you in the room, we have decided to retain the function with the Arts Council. [Applause] The Arts Council are really keen to keep this function as well.

    We know that there is work to be done together to understand what the sector wants from its development agency and to build a refreshed offer that serves your needs. But I hope that this allays any concerns you may have had and we look forward to taking the next steps on this together.

    Over the next five years I want the ambitions outlined in our strategy to shape our work plan for the future. I want us to work together to realise these ambitions. You are the guardians of a system that can, in my case and the case of so many others, turn a weekly choice of five books into a lifetime of opportunity. Long may that be the case! And thank you so much for everything you do, sometimes in hugely difficult circumstances. It really is genuinely appreciated, thank you.

  • Lisa Nandy – 2026 Comments on Appointment of Dawn Airey as Incoming Chair of Arts Council

    Lisa Nandy – 2026 Comments on Appointment of Dawn Airey as Incoming Chair of Arts Council

    The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, on 2 June 2026.

    I am thrilled to announce Dawn Airey as the incoming chair of Arts Council England. She will take the helm at this incredibly important time, as this Government seeks to unlock access to exceptional arts for everyone, everywhere.

    Dawn brings more than just a wide range of experience across broadcasting, theatre and the wider arts – she brings a passion for what the arts can do for this country and all the people in it. I have no doubt that she will insist on pressing ahead with long overdue action to put people back at the centre of their own national story.

    I would also like to thank Sir Nicholas Serota for his tireless dedication to the arts and to artists. His tenure as Chair was during perhaps the most challenging time for the arts, encompassing funding cuts, a global pandemic, Brexit negotiations and the downgrading of arts on the national curriculum.

    Throughout all of this he has been a calm, passionate and reassuring presence and a steadfast champion for access to great art. We owe him our gratitude.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on TNT Sports

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on TNT Sports

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 30 May 2026.

    As the Champions League final kicks off today, football fans are being priced out by TNT Sports locking it behind a paywall.

    While the PM has politely asked TNT to make it free, I’m calling on the government to change the law and guarantee these games are always free-to-air!

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Limiting Social Media for under-16s

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Limiting Social Media for under-16s

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, on 12 January 2026.

    Enough is enough.

    Social media is taking childhood from our children.

    Today, Laura Trott and I met with a group of parents crying out for stronger safeguards for children online. That’s why we have a plan to introduce age limits for social media access for under 16s.

  • OFCOM – 2026 Statement on Grok and Sexualised Images of Children

    OFCOM – 2026 Statement on Grok and Sexualised Images of Children

    The press release issued by OFCOM on 5 January 2026.

    We are aware of serious concerns raised about a feature on Grok on X that produces undressed images of people and sexualised images of children.

    We have made urgent contact with X and xAI to understand what steps they have taken to comply with their legal duties to protect users in the UK. Based on their response we will undertake a swift assessment to determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation.

  • Andrew MacLaren – 1943 Speech on Sunday Opening of Cinemas in “Depressing Stoke-on-Trent”

    Andrew MacLaren – 1943 Speech on Sunday Opening of Cinemas in “Depressing Stoke-on-Trent”

    The speech made by Andrew MacLaren, the then Labour MP for Burslem, in the House of Commons on 28 January 1943.

    I am sorry to detain the House after it has exhaustively covered the question of the. Civil Service, but the line I am obliged to take as regards this Order puts me in rather a difficulty. I do not know how long ago it is since anyone opposed an Order of this kind in the House, but I am obliged to do so because of the opinion held locally and because of the opinion I myself hold on this matter. On two occasions before, I think, the Council of Stoke-on-Trent rejected this proposal. The Order which has been placed before us was advanced to the Home Secretary under rather interesting circumstances. The Council was addressed, I understand,—I am speaking purely on instruction here—by a member of the military Forces. There was strong opinion in the City and in the Council against the opening of cinemas on Sundays, but a representative of the Armed Forces, holding rank, addressed the Council, I understand, and pleaded with it to open the cinemas on Sundays in order to give some form of entertainment to the soldiers, who had no other attraction except walking about in the dark and rather dreary streets of a very depressing town called Stoke-on-Trent. The only place that lights up in Stoke-on-Trent occasionally is within the vicinity of the town hall owing to a very interesting character we have there. The mind of the Council was swayed by the intervention of an officer making an appeal on behalf of the Armed Forces, but even then the vote in the Council was pretty strong against the opening of cinemas on Sundays. On top of this, I understand that the private cinema owners are all against opening the cinemas on Sundays.

    I am speaking on behalf of this public opinion in the city and also pointing fair criticism against what I think an unfair practice. To ask a member of the Armed Forces to address the Council was immediately to prejudice, or at least to sway, the opinion of members of that Council. It would be tantamount to asking a man who was promoting a public house to address the J.P.s before they gave their decision on his application for a licence.

    There is a very strong opinion in Stoke-on-Trent against the opening of Sunday cinemas. It is the birthplace of what is called Primitive Methodism, so there is a very strong Sabbatarian outlook, but it would not be fair to say that the opposition is entirely and strictly Sabbatarian. In my opinion the time has long passed when there ought to have been some public opinion stirred throughout the country to do something in the way of entertainment on a Sunday evening. The fact has to be faced that to a large extent the Churches are not attracting the youth of the district, and it does not make a very impressive sight to see the people walking about with no possible chance of proper entertainment. Some of the Councillors, in order to meet what was put forward as a demand on the part of the Armed Forces, before this Order came before the House, have actually taken possession of the five town halls. Concerts have been given, and those who promoted them took a census of the soldiers who attended, and they were surprised to find that soldiers were conspicuous by their absence, so that the major reason advanced, and the reason that swayed many members of the Council, was not substantiated. The concerts are still going on. I have been associated with the public life of the city since 1912 and have a pretty fair gauge of the feelings of the people. Although I represent Burslem, I am the senior Member for the entire city of Stoke-on-Trent.

    I have for many years tried to appeal for some public action to be taken to make Sunday brighter and, if possible, to provide opportunities—I am not saying this in a priggish sort of way—for doing something to elevate the minds of the youth of the district. I have had a strong feeling for years—and I am sorry to say that my apprehensions have been fulfilled by the facts—that this country of ours has been degenerated by visitations to picture houses where people have had to absorb visually what I call the poison and indecencies poured out from the American Hollywood. It is no laughing matter. It is a thing to be regretted that the youth of this country for the last 20 years have had to gaze on some of the things I have seen in those places. The net result of it has been marked by an absence of the interesting things that really matter among the youth of the country. That goes on during the week. When it comes to Sunday, if cinemas are to be opened, there ought to be at least some power, exercised if you like through the medium of a civic committee, that will have some say in the nature of the exhibits in these theatres. It is to be regretted that those marvellous inventions of mankind, the wireless and the picture house, should be to such an extent debauched and debased. I and many members of the Council of Stoke-on-Trent and many people in the city feel strongly, although we are not opposed to theatres and cinemas being opened on a Sunday, that there should be some control of or some say as to the nature of the exhibits on that day so that something may be done to repair the damage that has been wrought during the week.

    I have told the House the methods adopted in order to get this matter placed before the House to-day. I know that I could perhaps press it to a Division, but I would rather appeal to the Under-Secretary to the Home Office to suspend the Motion and give us a fortnight or three weeks to review the situation, so that a regular form of appeal can be made to the Home Office and so that the public in the city can have a greater chance of expressing their will on the matter. I understand that 26 petitions have been put in against the opening of Sunday cinemas. I can never understand why those petitions are asked for and never reviewed. It would be advisable to consider them in full. That was not done in Stoke-on-Trent. The petitions were received, but nothing was done about them. The Motion on the Order Paper was speeded on forthwith. I am appealing again to the Under-Secretary to suspend this Motion. He would have me at a disadvantage if it came to pressing the House to a Division. I will not do that in any case. I would rather appeal to him on broad grounds. There is a strong feeling of resentment in the city at the way this matter has been carried on, apart from the deep-seated aversion to Sunday cinemas, in which I do not wholly participate. I do not believe that we can continue in the closing of every form of mental exercise or entertainment on Sunday and do nothing about it. Therefore, I make an appeal to the Under-Secretary to withdraw the Motion and give those in Stoke-on-Trent who have strong feelings on the matter another fortnight or three weeks to review the situation and enable a more regular and decent process to be adopted in petitioning the Home Office.

    I make this appeal, and I hope that the Under-Secretary of State will meet me. I cannot resume my seat without mentioning that my attention has been drawn to the fact that a Member of Parliament has put a Question down asking whether an unofficial deputation can approach the Home Office. I would like to tell that Member that any citizen of any city has a right to come to any Department of State, on behalf of his city, and lay a petition before the Minister without being looked upon as unofficial. The more the citizens of this country take an active interest in their powers of representation and of appeal before the State, the more I will support them, but it just shows the length to which the engineers of this Motion will go in putting down a Question upon the Order Paper. I make my final appeal, and I hope that it will be met.

  • Stephanie Peacock – 2025 Speech at the G20 Culture Ministerial Meeting

    Stephanie Peacock – 2025 Speech at the G20 Culture Ministerial Meeting

    The speech made by Stephanie Peacock, the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, on 29 October 2025.

    It is an honour to represent the United Kingdom here today, and it has been a privilege to experience the diversity and dynamism of South African culture first hand over the past few days, since I arrived here on Sunday.

    It was a pleasure to accompany you, Honourable Minister McKenzie, to the powerful performance of ‘This Is Who I Am’ in Johannesburg earlier this week – an extraordinary example of international cultural collaboration in action, supported by the British High Commission.

    The UK is committed to effective and ambitious multilateralism, and we are grateful to you for convening us to discuss pressing matters affecting the cultural and creative sectors, as well as the great opportunities.

    I would like to thank the South African Presidency, on behalf of the United Kingdom, for your leadership, ambition, and wonderful hospitality throughout this year’s G20 Culture Track.

    The musical and artistic performances we have all enjoyed here highlight culture’s power to unite and connect communities. 

    In the UK, we, too, see how the huge diversity of cultural heritage contributes to our national story. Which is why we are pleased to have ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage last year and warmly welcome our hosts, South Africa, who joined this year.

    The British Library’s Endangered Archives Programme alone has undertaken 130 projects across Africa and we commend South Africa for shining a light on the role of museums and cultural institutions as custodians of heritage in this declaration. 

    Honourable Minister, you have rightly placed a strong emphasis in the declaration from this meeting on the creative economy. 

    In the UK we also recognise the importance of these sectors and we have launched a dedicated plan to tackle barriers to growth and maximise opportunities across the creative industries. 

    Improving cultural access is another key priority for the UK Government. We strongly believe that arts and culture should reach everyone, everywhere.

    This includes supporting our creative and cultural professionals to operate and tour internationally.

    We recognise that the arts and cultural sectors, and creative industries can be critical drivers of innovation, not simply consumers of it.

    The use of digital technologies in these areas offers extraordinary opportunities to expand access, participation and inclusion.

    But we must acknowledge that digital transition and Artificial Intelligence are reshaping how culture is created, shared and valued.

    This is why the UK is committed to international partnership to shape a digital ecosystem for culture that is inclusive, resilient and sustainable – whether through the G20, UNESCO, bilateral agreements, or the work of the British Council.

    The UK is working to safeguard cultural heritage at risk, while advancing innovative, culture-based solutions to the climate crisis at home and around the world through our international programmes.

    Our International Cultural Heritage Protection programme operates globally, in cooperation with the British Council.

    One recent project – delivered in partnership with organisations across Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Jordan – has  protected six historically important sites impacted by climate change and enabled them to be safeguarded for future generations.

    As G20 members, we individually and collectively recognise our responsibility to use our influence and voices to champion culture’s role in driving climate action.

    The Declaration we will shortly adopt is testament to the immense value we place on culture, cultural heritage and creativity and its important role in driving sustainable development.

    I would like to thank all members of the working group for all their exceptionally hard work on the text. 

    The Declaration sends a powerful message to the world about the role culture can play in transforming all our lives – for the better. The UK is proud to endorse it.

    Thank you.