Tag: Department for Culture and Media

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 27 January 2026.

Nearly 1000 community projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland benefitting from new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities.

• Boost will improve accessibility and sustainability, through multisport, all-weather pitches, goalposts, floodlights and community hubs – with 50% going to 30% most deprived communities in the UK
• Move supports drive to break down barriers to opportunity, give families affordable ways to stay healthy, and deliver an NHS fit for the future 
• Applications for £85 million of funding to be distributed in 2026/27 across the UK to open

Nearly 1000 community projects across the UK are benefitting from new all-weather pitches, extended playing hours through floodlighting, and modern changing facilities designed to welcome underserved groups like women and girls, in a new boost for grassroots sport facilities by the Government. 

991 projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been awarded funding through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26, with more beneficiaries to be announced soon. 

These new or refurbished facilities will give families low-cost options to stay active on their doorstep, helping when many are facing cost-of-living pressures. It will also open up opportunities to underserved groups like women and girls. At least half of all funding will go directly to the 30% most deprived communities in the UK. 

Sports clubs and organisations will also benefit from new goalposts, fencing and new changing pavilions – all of which help make sites more accessible and sustainable for local communities. To ensure broader participation beyond football, at least 40% of funded projects must have a multi-sport offer. This approach will give more people access to a wider variety of sports and activities, such as rugby, cricket, and basketball.

Full details of all the 991 projects funded through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26 at time of writing to date are attached and available on GOV.UK.

Today, the Government has also announced the allocations for the next £85million investment for 2026/27 for grassroots sports facilities, part of a £400 million boost launched by the Government in June 2025.  Applications are now open in England, with Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to follow.

The announcement was made as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy visited East Kilbride United Community Sports Club, who received £310,000 across 2024-26 for a new artificial pitch and changing pavilion at Kirktonholme. The upgraded facility now hosts women’s and girls’ teams, school PE lessons, and a walking football programme supporting men’s mental health. 

It follows the Government  launching the ‘Team Up’ campaign yesterday, which has brought some of the UK’s biggest sport stars, sport governing bodies and charities together to tackle male loneliness using the power of sport through a wide range of initiatives across the country. More details are available on the new Team Up website.  

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, said:

This is sport delivering for the nation. Every pound we invest in grassroots facilities is a pound that takes pressure off our NHS, supports mental and physical health, and opens doors for new community members to benefit from sport – like women and girls who’ve been shut out for too long.

We’re supporting communities that have made do with run-down pitches and crumbling changing rooms for years. This government is turning that around – building the facilities that get people active, bring communities together, and nurture the next generation of sporting talent.

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said: 

High quality sports facilities are vital. This season we’ve been celebrating 25 years of game changing impact in the grassroots game thanks to £1.3bn of funding from our partners the Premier League, The FA and Government since we started work in 2000.

The funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, announced today, alongside that of the Premier League and The FA, ensures the Football Foundation can continue to deliver the football and multi-sport facilities that inspire people to play, get healthy and come together.   

Football in England is evolving and we need to ensure the facilities support its growth. Guided by our Local Plans we systematically deliver where need is greatest and impact is strongest, creating inclusive opportunities for generations to come.  

The £68.4m will help us support the growth of the women’s and girls’ game, provide the facilities that grassroots organisations need, back our biggest and best clubs and ensure we know about every pitch and how we can best support them.  

We are excited about the next year, and look forward to working with our funding partners to continue to provide very community with a great place to play.” 

Sport England Chief Executive, Simon Hayes said:

Community sport sits at the heart of our society. It brings people together across the UK, helping them to connect, have fun and live healthier lives. But none of that is possible if there aren’t enough pitches and facilities, designed in the right way and located in the right places. We therefore very much welcome today’s announcement and look forward to working with the Government and our partners to ensure as many people as possible from all over the country have the chance to participate.

Through new local sports facilities or critical upgrades to outdated facilities, the funding will deliver: 

• New 3G grass pitches enabling year-round play regardless of weather
• Upgraded changing pavilions with more appropriate changing facilities for women and girls
• Floodlighting to extend playing hours into evenings and car parking for better accessibility
• New goalposts, fencing and storage facilities to improve safety and access
• Priority use time slots for women and girls teams at funded sites
• Facilities that can host PE and school activities alongside community use
• Sites that support health initiatives and community outreach programmes

The funding is designed to promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups (such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities), and support the Government’s Plan for Change by breaking down barriers to opportunity and delivering an NHS fit for the future.  

Today’s announcement is the latest part of a £400 million boost for grassroots sport facilities announced by the Government in June 2025. £98 million was invested in 2025/26. The 2026/27 investment includes £85million and a recently announced £5 million boost for basketball facilities (matched by £5 million from the NBA). Further details on £10million funding for innovative facilities models is due to be set out in the coming months. 

Following the Lionesses’ defence of their European title last summer, the Government announced plans to more than double the share of primetime slots dedicated to women’s and girls’ teams. This will happen at facilities that have been funded by the Government, Premier League and The FA’s charity the Football Foundation over the next five years, with a clear long-term target of reaching equal access as demand grows.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

2026-27 funding:

Funding breakdown by nation:

• England: £68.35 million (delivered through the Football Foundation)
• Scotland: £8.14 million (delivered through the Scottish Football Association)
• Wales: £5.735 million (delivered through the Cymru Football Foundation)
• Northern Ireland: £2.775 million (delivered through the Irish Football Association)
• Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis in England via the Football Foundation.
• Application windows will open soon in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and the relevant FA websites will be updated with more details.

Funding in action for 2025-26: 

Scotland – East Kilbride United Community Sports Club

• East Kilbride United received a grant of £200,000 towards a new artificial grass pitch in 2024/25, followed by a grant of £110,000 towards a new changing pavilion in 2025/26 for their facilities at Kirktonholme. 
• The addition of a changing pavilion has enabled greater use of the facility by women and girls teams. The facility is now used for PE school activities, and the club runs a range of health initiatives and community outreach programmes, including a walking football group supporting men’s mental health.

England – Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation, Ben Scott’s Field

• The project is receiving £990,248 towards the development of a new World Rugby 22 and FIFA Quality 3G pitch, new changing pavilion with office space, social/community room and kitchen, as well as new access and car parking.
• The site offers crucial multi-sport availability, being designed to support rugby, with Guisborough Rugby Club using the site for training as well as hosting the RFU’s T1 Rugby programme, a fun and inclusive, non-contact version of rugby union designed for all ages and abilities.
• The site will also boost access for women and girls, being supported by partner club Skelton United, who would have 13 women and girls teams on site by year five.
• The Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation will also deliver Premier League Kicks and Wildcats provision to support recreational women and girls activity. 
• A key aim of the project is to support under-represented groups with programmes to support Mental Health, Disability through team growth and the North Riding FA Ability Counts League, Warm Space (a cost-of-living programme), Match Fit and Team Talk (linked to public health).

England – Academies Enterprise Trust, Lift Tendring School

• The project is receiving £1,000,000 towards the development of a 3G pitch.
• This project is aimed at improving access for under-represented groups and has a strong women and girls focus, with recreational programmes such as Wildcats and Squad Girls, in addition to the proposed growth of ten new women and girls teams in the next five years. 
• Sessions are also proposed free of charge through Colchester United Community Trust, as well as mental health provision and walking football.
• The new 3G pitch allows football to migrate out of the indoor sports hall providing an opportunity for greater collaboration and usage of other sports such as Pickleball, Badminton, Netball and Basketball which will be possible in the existing indoor space.

Wales – Afan United Project

• The project received £315,360 towards a full size artificial grass pitch upgrade and new changing pavilion.
• It is a multi-sport flagship project, including rugby and rounders activity.
• The site offers a percentage of priority use slots to women and girls.

Northern Ireland – Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Foyle Arena 3G Development project 

• This project received £200,842 towards a full size artificial grass pitch upgrade.
• It is a multi sport flagship project, including Cricket, Rugby, Running, GAA and PE school activity
• Derry City FC Women will use this facility as their home facility

Team Up campaign: 

• The campaign unites sport to tackle male loneliness, promote social connection, and highlight support for men’s mental health. 
• During the week of 26 January – 1 February, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with the Premier League, EFL, Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board and Movember on the campaign, using sport’s collective voice to show young men that help is out there and where they can find it.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 January 2026.

Towns across the country can now apply to become the first UK Town of Culture.

• Applications will be open until 31 March 2026 for Expressions of Interest 
• Competition delivers on the government’s Plan for Change, driving local economic growth and opportunity

The government has taken its latest step in renewing the country by launching the first ever UK Town of Culture competition. 

With 11 weeks to apply, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. Showcasing towns’ local visions and voices – through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more – this competition brings local investment, creates a lasting sense of pride in towns, and opens doors to the arts for everyone.  

Towns can submit their Expressions of Interest now. Sir Phil Redmond will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they’ll tell their unique story, how they’ll bring everyone in a community together, and how towns will deliver on their vision. The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.

Three finalists – one small, one medium, one large town – will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 is 31 March 2026, with the shortlist of towns expected to be announced this Spring. 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 

There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from – from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.  

We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.

This competition, announced by the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in October 2025, provides a platform for communities across the country to tell their own unique story and shines a spotlight on the vital role towns play in our national life. 

From Torquay to Thurso and Brecon to Ballycastle, Britain is interlinked by a rich network of towns, each with their own history and identity.

This is part of the Prime Minister’s ambition to restore pride in every part of Britain as he serves the whole of the country. 

British towns are brimming with community spirit – we’re providing the opportunity to bring it to life. Increasing pride in local areas also encourages them to get out and about to museums, galleries and live performances, which also means more money spent supporting local businesses and jobs.

UK Town of Culture Chair, Sir Phil Redmond said: 

I am delighted to have been asked to Chair the new Town of Culture competition, as in the past it has been hard to adequately demonstrate the depth, breadth and diversity of the UK’s cultural landscape through the UK City of Culture’s urban lens. 

The two competitions will complement each other while providing more opportunities for more places to both demonstrate and celebrate that creativity is not confined to the great urban concert halls, theatres or galleries. It is in everything we do together. In every town, village, neighbourhood, street or road. 

UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?

This follows the government in November 2025 launching its Pride in Place Programme, providing up to £10 billion to support 244 towns across the country whose communities have been let down by decline and systematic under-investment. Under this scheme, communities will be able to spend the funding on what matters most to them – from improvements to pavements and high streets to investing in culture and green spaces.

Building on proven success

The UK Town of Culture competition builds on the success of UK City of Culture, which has delivered transformative benefits for its four winners. Bradford, last year’s title holder, is projected to benefit from £389 million in growth across the district, with city centre footfall up 25% during its year in the spotlight. Early estimates show audiences for its City of Culture programme exceeded 3 million, with 80% of local residents surveyed saying it improved their wellbeing and made them feel proud of where they live. 

The UK City of Culture competition has proven that culture and investment work hand in hand, delivering community renewal that revitalises everything from high streets to job opportunities.

The search for UK City of Culture 2029 is already underway for Expressions of Interest from cities, larger towns, regions and groups of places. The winning place for UK City of Culture 2029 will be awarded £10 million. 

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 13 January 2026.

The Secretary of State has appointed Emma Clancy, Russell Procter and Kate Staples as Members of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Board for a term of three years.

Emma Clancy

Emma is an experienced leader in both the public and private sector and formerly served as Chair of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC). She served the committee for over 9 years and headed up a number of committees providing expert advice to Government, helping to develop the future regulatory framework for buildings addressing sustainability and safety issues.

She boasts a wealth of experience in consumer protection, public policy and regulation during a career covering sectors including construction, water, banking, retail and not- for-profit organisations.

Emma was CEO of Certsure LLP for 15 years – the leading voluntary regulatory body in the electrical contracting and energy sector which is focused on raising standards. Emma’s leadership and innovative thinking was credited with modernising the not-for-profit joint venture – moving it up more than 20 places in The Times Top 100 Companies to work for in 2018.

She has also worked as Director of Care for BMI, the world’s largest manufacturer of building products. She currently leads the development of strategy for a FTSE 50 company and is also a non-executive director on the UKAS Board.

Russell Procter

Russ has over 30 years’ experience in the public sector, focussing on policing and community safety. He retired in 2024 as Assistant Chief Constable, known for his expertise in public order, public safety, civil contingencies, and major incident coordination. Russ spent the final 7 years of his service as a Gold Public Order Commander, leading complex operations and overseeing the planning and testing of emergency responses.

Throughout his career, Russ has worked closely with football clubs from League Two to the Premier League, along with a wide network of stakeholders, to enhance stadium safety and security. He has extensive experience of working alongside Club Executives, Ground Safety Officers, Safety Advisory Groups, Blue Light Services, Supporter Forums, and UEFA.

Currently, Russ serves as a consultant Match Day Safety and Security Observer for the English Football League, supporting ground safety teams nationwide. He is also an associate with the College of Policing, where he delivers Gold Public Order and Public Safety Command training, as well as re-accreditation courses to senior leaders across the country.

Kate Staples

Kate Staples has extensive experience in the regulation of safety-critical sectors and the protection of consumers. Kate was the General Counsel & Secretary to the CAA until December 2021, holding the role for over 11 years. During that time Kate was also a Trustee of the Air Travel Trust, and of the CAA’s pension scheme, and company secretary to the CAA’s two subsidiaries: ASSI Ltd and CAA International Ltd. She was Director of

Governance and Legal Services at the Care Quality Commission throughout 2023. Kate is now an Independent Commissioner at the Data & Marketing Commission, the guardians of responsible data and marketing. She is also a Director of CAAPS Ltd, a large defined benefit pension scheme. Before joining the CAA, Kate worked at the Department for Transport, and at a leading City law firm. 

Emma Clancy, Russell Procter and Kate Staples have been appointed for a term of three years, commencing on 12 January 2026 until 11 January 2029.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority are remunerated £265 a day.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. 

Emma Clancy, Russell Procter and Kate Staples have declared no such political activity. 

Notes to Editors

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom.  To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 January 2026.

The Secretary of State has appointed Madeleine Campbell as Board Member of the Horserace Betting Levy Board for a term of four years.

Madeleine Campbell 

Madeleine is the Professor of Veterinary Ethics at the University of Nottingham and an EBVS and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law. A leading authority in her field, she holds several high-level leadership roles, including Chair of the British Equestrian Federation’s Ethics and Welfare Advisory Group and Chair of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s Welfare and Veterinary Standing Committee.

She serves as an Independent Member of the Federation Equestre Internationale Welfare and Ethics Advisory Group and an Independent Member of the British Horseracing Authority’s Ethics Panel. 

Madeleine Campbell has been appointed for a term of four years, commencing on 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board are remunerated £19,665 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. 

Madeleine Campbell has declared no political activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 December 2025.

Government plans will offer young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing in moves to strengthen their connections in real life.

• Ambitious 10-year plan to give 500,000 more young people access to a trusted adult outside their home and equip them with skills to boost their resilience and stay safe online
• National Youth Strategy to deliver up to 250 new or refurbished youth centres, 50 Young Futures Hubs, and new support for youth workers, backed by over £500 million of investment

Young people across England will benefit from over £500 million of government investment as the first National Youth Strategy in 15 years is published today, setting out an ambitious delivery plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade. 

‘Youth Matters’ has been co-produced with more than 14,000 young people across England through a landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey. It represents a fundamental shift in how the government will support young people over the next decade – turning the tide from isolation online, to real life connections. 

Local government spending on youth services fell by 73% between 2010/11 and 2022/23, with more than 1,000 youth centres closing and over 4,500 youth worker roles being lost. The Prime Minister has spoken of young people being “collateral damage” over the past decade and how this must be turned around, with the government investing in the potential of young people – offering them the chance for real life connections to support their talent and potential. 

A centrepiece of the National Youth Strategy centres around additional investment to transform youth services. The government is committing over £500 million of new funding, which will:

• Build or refurbish up to 250 youth facilities over the next four years, as well as providing equipment for activities to around 2500 youth organisations, through a new £350 million ‘Better Youth Spaces’ programme. It will provide safe and welcoming spaces, offering young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing.
• Launch a network of 50 Young Futures Hubs by March 2029 as part of a local transformation programme of  £70 million, providing access to youth workers and other professionals, supporting their wellbeing and career development and preventing them from harm.
• The first eight hubs to be operational by March 2026 are in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, County Durham, Nottingham, Bristol, Tower Hamlets, and Brighton and Hove.
• Support organisations in underserved areas to deliver high-quality youth work and activities through a ‘Richer Young Lives Fund’ worth over £60 million.
• Boost young people’s wellbeing, personal development, and essential life skills through a new £22.5 million programme of support around the school day in up to 400 schools.
• Recruit and train youth workers, volunteers and other trusted adults with £15 million of investment. 
• Strengthen youth services through £5 million to improve local partnerships, better information sharing, and digital infrastructure, ensuring young people receive high-quality, safe, and effective support in their communities.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said:

“As a dad and as Prime Minister, I believe it is our generation’s greatest responsibility to turn the tide on the lost decade of young kids left as collateral damage. It is our moral mission. 

“Today, my government sets out a clear, ambitious and deliverable plan – investing in the next generation so that every child has the chance to see their talents take them as far as their ability can.” 

“That is also why we will ensure that if you choose an apprenticeship, you will have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else, as we get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

“The challenges facing young people today are urgent and demand a major change in direction. For too long, youth policy has been an afterthought. This generation deserves better.

“Young people are the most digitally connected but also the most isolated in generations with many wanting more meaningful real life connections. Young people have been crystal clear in speaking up in our consultation: they need support for their mental health, spaces to meet with people in their communities and real opportunities to thrive. We will give them what they want. Today’s National Youth Strategy puts young people at the heart of decision-making and begins to rebuild the youth services that were decimated over the past decade.

“From Young Futures Hubs in local communities to hundreds of millions of pounds invested in youth facilities to transforming the services that support them – we will give young people somewhere to go, something meaningful to do, and someone who cares about their wellbeing. They have spoken – now we’re delivering for them.”

Over the next decade this strategy will also reverse the decline in local government spending with plans for: 

• Half a million more young people to be given access to a trusted adult outside their home, helping equip them with essential skills, such as resilience or how to manage their online safety, to help them transition to adulthood and adapt to a digital world. 
• The government aims to halve the gap in who gets to do meaningful activities between richer and poorer families. This covers after school activities, as well as those in the evenings, weekends and holidays
• It delivers on key government missions within the Plan for Change: spreading opportunities, making streets safer and taking pressure off the NHS.

What young people said

The measures respond directly to the landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey commissioned by the Culture Secretary, and published alongside the strategy today. It sets out the reality of what it is like to grow up in England in 2025, painting a vivid picture of their experiences growing up in a world shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost of living crisis, an always-on digital world, and ongoing global uncertainty.

It reveals stark concerns from young people about a lack of mental health support, growing social isolation and an absence of youth services in their communities. 

While young people today are the most digitally connected generation, the report highlights that they face unprecedented levels of isolation, among the highest globally. They want more opportunities to connect in person safe spaces to go to, better mental health support, guidance for their education and careers, greater access to enriching activities and opportunities, and tools to engage positively online and offline. 

Building on recent investment

The National Youth Strategy marks the start of a decade of sustained investment in young people, building on:

• The Culture Secretary’s ‘Every Child Can’ commitment, backed by £132.5 million from the Dormant Assets scheme in June. 
• The Department for Work and Pensions’ £820 million funding package announced this week to support young people across Great Britain into employment and training, creating almost 300,000 more skills and training opportunities for young people on Universal Credit, and a £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system to help tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth, with thousands more young people expected to benefit over the next three years.
• In September the Prime Minister set bold new targets for apprenticeships of two-thirds of young people participating in higher-level learning – academic, technical or apprenticeships – by age 25, up from 50%.
• The Department for Culture, Media and Sport recently announced over £400 million will be invested in new and upgraded local community sport facilities over the next four years, plus Sport England’s £250 million investment in youth sport and physical activity.

ENDS

Additional quotes: 

Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO of the National Youth Agency: “The National Youth Strategy puts young people at the centre of change, reflecting what they have said they need: safe spaces, trusted adults, and real opportunities to thrive. Youth work is essential in delivering these plans, and the Strategy makes that clear. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure this ambition is matched with action, delivering equity and lasting improvements for every young person.” 

Alex Holmes OBE, The Diana Award: “For a quarter of a century The Diana Award has shown what happens when you back young people with trust, resources and a platform. It’s been inspiring to see this National Youth Strategy built with young people, not just for them. The next 10 years must be about turning their ideas into action and giving young people the tools and confidence to hold us, as adults and institutions, to the promises we’ve made.”

Jonathan Hopkins, Centre for Young Lives (member of the DCMS Expert Advisory Group): “This is a strategy by young people, for young people that we all benefit from. It is a generational shift in how young people are seen and heard. Backed by commitments like Young Futures to turn lives around, it will deliver a more confident and close knit society.” 

Dan Lawes, CEO of My Life My Say: “I’ve seen firsthand that the greatest successes of the National Youth Strategy come from one simple principle: putting young people at the centre. Its strength lies in the fact that youth voices didn’t just contribute to its composition — they shaped its direction, its priorities and its purpose. By listening to young people every step of the way, we’ve created a strategy that is not only credible and representative, but one that I hope will deliver real, lasting change.”

Paul Lindley, entrepreneur, campaigner, author: “This Youth Strategy puts young people exactly where they belong — at the heart of decisions that shape their lives. By rebuilding the local places, services and relationships that help them feel seen, supported and able to belong, it tackles the postcode lottery of opportunity and invests in a generation whose potential is extraordinary.”

Sophie Pender, Founder, The 93% Club: “The National Youth Strategy represents hope: targeted investment in the working class communities too often overlooked. It strengthens our mission to show the state schoolers, the kids on the council estates, the ones whose youth has been shaped by limited resources, that they matter too.” 

Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy, Centre for Mental Health: “The National Youth Strategy is an important cross-government opportunity to strengthen young people’s mental health. Trusted adults, safe community spaces and early support are all key to preventing mental health problems escalating. By expanding these opportunities nationwide, the strategy can help ensure every young person feels supported, connected and able to thrive.” 

Zafeera Karim​, Member of Youth Parliament, said: “From a teacher, I learned, ​’If someone says you are the future, say no. I am the present; I have things to do now.​’ Those words resonate because young people are already acting, supporting one another, and taking on responsibilities that often go unseen. This National Youth Strategy matters because it has the potential to listen to these realities, address structural barriers, center voices too often excluded from decision-making, and provide practical support that engages with the work already happening. My hope is that this strategy will recognise what young people and their communities are already doing today and strengthen this work with sincerity at its origin and soundness in its fulfillment to create responsible, lasting change.​”

Notes to editors:

1. The full National Youth Strategy and the State of the Nation report are available at GOV.UK.
2. Youth summaries of both the main strategy and report are available alongside associated research.
3. The ‘State of the Nation’ survey engaged 14,134 young people and was conducted in  partnership with Savanta, My Life My Say, the #iwill Movement and Youth Collaborators
4. The consultation included focus groups, discussions and workshops with Ministers, officials and youth sector organisations.
5. A Youth Advisory Group of 14 young people from across England was convened to help shape the strategy.
6. According to the latest statistics from the OECD, 15-year-olds in the UK spend more time on their digital devices than the average OECD country. 
7. In a study of 40 countries, 11, 13 and 15-year-olds in England ranked among the highest in reporting that they feel lonely most of the time or always (HBSC, 2022).
8. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are about 10.6 million young people aged 10-24 in England.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 November 2025.

An export bar has been placed on Henri-Joseph François, Baron De Triqueti’s sculpture of Florence and Alice Campbell (1857).

• Valued at £280,000, the sculpture includes a depiction of a woman embroiled in a Victorian scandal
• The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the sculpture for the nation

An export bar has been placed on a rare sculpture by Henri-Joseph François, Baron De Triqueti, allowing time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire it. 

The sculpture is a unique double portrait and is of particular value because the location of so many of Triqueti’s works are unknown. The artwork stands nearly two metres tall, with the portrait carved in marble, set atop a rosewood and marble inset plinth.

Henri de Triqueti was an influential Victorian sculptor, who appears to have been inspired by Florentine and Renaissance portrait sculpture. It is hoped that the acquisition of the work by a UK institution may allow further study, unlocking more insights into the artist’s methods and practices. Triqueti’s work also presents an enticing opportunity for the further study of Victorian women. 

The sculpture’s focus are young sisters, Florence and Alice Campbell. It was commissioned by the girls’ father, Robert Tertius Campbell, an Australian businessman who is credited with introducing innovative agricultural techniques to his Oxfordshire estate, Buscot Park. 

Florence Campbell later found notoriety herself, being implicated in the unexplained death of her husband – a scandal which has inspired everything from an Agatha Christie novel to true crime podcasts today.

Culture Minister, Baroness Twycross said:

We’re fortunate that this striking sculpture has survived in such excellent condition. This level of marblework demonstrates an incredible degree of craftsmanship and presents a beautiful depiction of these young girls.

I hope that we can find a UK buyer so that it can continue to delight visitors and provide opportunities for future generations to learn more about the story behind this piece and its sculptor.

Stuart Lochhead, Committee Member:

Baron Triqueti navigated various worlds, enjoying the patronage of King Louis-Philippe of France and Queen Victoria. He moved in high society and exhibited at the Paris Salon and in London. Deeply versed in Renaissance masters, his style would shape a generation of sculptors in Britain. However, this rare and beautiful double-portrait relief demonstrates how much remains to be uncovered about this talented artist’s practice and patronage networks. Much can be gleaned also from the relief’s commission by Robert Tertius Campbell, an Australian tycoon who settled in England and introduced innovative agricultural methods. The loss of such an exceptional and unusual portrait from the UK would be most unfortunate.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).

The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the relief met the second and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding aesthetic importance and its outstanding significance to the study of Triqueti’s sources, work practices, patronage networks, and the commissioning of medallion portraits by English families. It was also of outstanding significance to the study of the role of Victorian women and to development of estate management ideas. 

The decision on the export licence application for the relief will be deferred for a period ending on 13 February 2026 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the relief at the recommended price of £280,000 (plus VAT). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 13 November 2025.

The National Covid Memorial Wall will be preserved to remember the lives lost during the pandemic.

• COVID-19 Day of Reflection will take place annually each March
• New COVID-19 commemorative green spaces delivered in partnership with NHS Charities Together and Forestry England

The government has today published its response to the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration’s report.

The Commission, headed by Baroness Morgan of Cotes, was created under the previous administration to make recommendations on how the United Kingdom can commemorate the loss of life and honour the sacrifice and public service of key workers during the pandemic.

The government has committed to take forward a number of the recommendations in the report, including: 

• Preservation of the National Covid Memorial Wall: Created by the bereaved, for the bereaved, the government will work with The Friends of the Wall and local partners, to preserve the National Covid Memorial Wall as a memorial to the lives lost in the UK to COVID-19.
• A UK wide COVID-19 Day of Reflection: The Day of Reflection will continue to take place annually in March as an opportunity to come together to remember the lives lost and the sacrifices made. It will also pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers, researchers and all those who volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time.
• Creating new spaces for reflection: In partnership with NHS Charities Together and Forestry England, new COVID-19 memorials will be created across the country that will reflect the importance of green spaces to the nation during the pandemic.
• Fellowship scheme on future natural hazards: A new fellowship programme has been launched focusing on natural hazards and resilience as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Policy Fellowship programme.
• Commemoration web pages: New gov.uk web pages have also been published bringing together information about COVID-19 commemorative activity, including oral histories that share memories and first-hand experiences of the pandemic. They will also include information on memorials that the public can visit, and about the Day of Reflection.

Culture Minister Baroness Twycross said: 

The pandemic had a huge impact on every aspect of our lives. It is right that this period in our shared history is appropriately remembered. I would like to thank Baroness Morgan, all of the Commissioners, and the bereaved family groups who contributed to the work of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration. 

It is important that we honour the lives lost and remember the sacrifice and courage of key workers who contributed so much to keep the public safe and keep our public services running during this time, often at huge personal cost.

Each of the more than 240,000 hand painted hearts on the National Covid Memorial Wall is a poignant and powerful reminder of the scale of loss of life to the pandemic. Many families did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one. Today, we commit to ensuring that those who died are not forgotten.

Baroness Morgan of Cotes said:

I would like to thank Ministers and DCMS officials for their considered and thoughtful response to the recommendations of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration. It was a privilege to chair the Commission and I remain mindful that while people want the space and time to reflect on their individual and collective loss, they also wanted us to look ahead in our recommendations and to try to build resilience in preparation for a future pandemic or other hazardous event. 

As we said in our report, the period when bereaved families could not have the usual physical and social contact will never be forgotten. But equally the efforts and sacrifices of frontline workers, the volunteering and community spirit we saw and the amazing achievement of UK science in developing the vaccines should also not be forgotten. It is right that, as a country, we take the time to remember the COVID-19 pandemic, to address what happened and then to focus on preparedness for the future. The Government response will facilitate this and I am delighted that we have reached this point.

You can read the full government response here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-response-to-the-report-by-the-uk-commission-on-covid-commemoration

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 13 November 2025.

Boys and young men in Wigan and Wakefield to receive support to tackle loneliness and isolation through new Government and Rugby League Cares initiative.

• Rugby League greats including Keith Senior and Adrian Morley will lead sessions challenging harmful masculinity narratives and promoting mental health
• Sessions to teach life skills and emphasise that toxic online cultures are no match for positive, in-person experiences

Boys and young men in Wakefield and Wigan will benefit from a new sense of community, purpose and wellbeing as the Government teams up with independent charity Rugby League Cares to tackle male loneliness. This is part of the Government’s plans to break down barriers to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change.

Rugby League legends Keith Senior and Adrian Morley are among a group of former players leading pilot programmes across the two regions. They will kickstart honest conversations about male mental health and help young men build confidence and resilience, so they are better equipped to cope when life gets tough. 

Young men are more than twice as likely to take their own lives as young women, according to the Office for National Statistics. Since the pandemic, there has been a sharp rise in the number of young men not in employment, education or training, leaving many without regular opportunities to forge friendships and meaningful connections.

Now, the Government is harnessing sport’s unique power to give people the feeling of belonging and ensure fewer boys and young men are left vulnerable to isolation. 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: 

Too many young men today are struggling with loneliness and isolation. We know the devastating consequences this can have, both for their mental health and for our communities. When young people can’t find a sense of belonging where they live, they are vulnerable to finding it in the wrong places.

Rugby League has always been more than just a sport in towns like Wigan and Wakefield. It is the heartbeat of these communities. By bringing together the legends of the game with the next generation, we are creating spaces where young men can open up, build genuine connections and develop the resilience they need.

Everyone deserves to feel they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Through this work with Rugby League Cares, we are making sure more young men get that chance and can reach their full potential.

The Culture Secretary will make the announcement on Thursday during a visit to a Rugby League Cares programme in Wigan. The Government investment of more than £330,000 will fund two Rugby League Cares pilot programmes, reaching 1,300 boys and young men by March 2026. 

The first programme, Offload, is designed to give men aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of isolation a safe environment to open up without pressure or judgement, while developing the tools they need to look after themselves and contribute positively to their communities. 

The second, the Movember Ahead of the Game programme, will use rugby to deliver sport-focused mental health training to younger boys aged 11-18, as well as parents, carers and youth workers, engaging those at risk early through the game they love and the heroes they admire. 

RLC Head of Wellbeing Programmes, former England and GB international Keith Senior said: 

The difference these programmes make is incredible. They’re delivered by people who are embedded within the villages, towns and cities where the sport is played and who know all about the challenges boys and young men face growing up in these communities.

Being able to call on our own experiences of tackling issues like loneliness, social isolation and having little sense of belonging as we grew up is invaluable in helping us to relate to, and engage with the people we are reaching out to.

The values I learned as a professional athlete equipped me with many of the same coping mechanisms and strategies that we all need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives, and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with boys and young men in Wakefield and Wigan.

Notes to editors 

Programme details

• Both programmes aim to increase awareness of loneliness, isolation and mental health impact, as well as improving wellbeing, confidence and aspirations of participants. 
• Each will be led by former professional players who are trained in mental health support, including Bob Beswick, Paul Broadbent, Teddy Chapelhow, James Chapelhow, Ian Hardman, Robbie Hunter-Paul, Dan Keane, Kevin Larroyer, Craig Lingard, Johnny Lawless, Shaun Lunt, Adrian Morley, Keith Senior, Jordan Turner and Adam Walne. *Programmes will run across four sites in the Wigan and Wakefield local authority areas, each linked to a Rugby League club: Castleford, Featherstone, Wakefield and Wigan. 

Offload:

• For boys and young men aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and at higher risk of isolation and loneliness. 
• The programme consists of six two-hour sessions. 
• Sessions will include team-building challenges, physical activity and teach mental fitness skills, while providing a supportive, no-pressure space to talk.

Ahead of the Game:

• Consists of four workshops: two for boys and young men aged 11-18, one for parents and carers, and one for youth workers. 
• The workshops for 11-18-year-old’s will teach participants how to start conversations about mental health, how to support themselves and friends, and where to seek help when needed. 
• The workshops for adults will help participants develop the skills and knowledge they need to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people, as well as recognise warning signs around loneliness and isolation.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 3 November 2025.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Carol Pyrah, Julian Glover and Taryn Nixon as Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for terms of 4 years.

Carol Pyrah, Chair of the North Committee

Carol is an experienced heritage professional with a background in both charities and the public sector.

Since December 2024, she has been Chief Operating Officer at Ripon Cathedral. Prior to this, she was Chief Executive of Urban Green Newcastle, an independent charity set up to manage the city’s 33 parks and 60 allotment sites, and Executive Director of Historic Coventry Trust, finding innovative ways to sustain historic places and to inspire, involve and connect people with the city’s history.

An archaeologist by training, Carol had a senior career at English Heritage and Historic England, where she was Assistant Director of Planning and a member of the Executive team. She has a track record in place-based regeneration projects and is passionate about the role of local places to foster civic pride and community cohesion.

Carol has been a Commissioner of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England and a Trustee for the Churches Conservation Trust.

She has lived in the Yorkshire Dales for over 25 years.

Julian Glover, Chair of the Midlands and East Committee

Julian is an author and journalist with extensive experience of working with the Government.

He led the Landscapes Review for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) – which created better ways of running England’s protected areas – and has been a special advisor for both Number 10 and the Department of Transport. He also advises a range of organisations, especially on transport and sustainability.

Julian has been Associate Editor of the London Evening Standard and a columnist and reporter for the Guardian. He is the author of Man of Iron: Thomas Telford and the Building of Britain, a biography of one of the UK’s most prolific engineers.

He lives in Derbyshire, where he is a board member for the Buxton International Festival.

Taryn Nixon, Chair of the London and South Committee

Taryn Nixon OBE MCIfA FSA is an archaeologist and independent heritage management adviser. 

She has a background of leadership in the historic environment sector. From 1997 to 2016, she was the Chief Executive of Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). She is a former Chair of her professional body, the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and has served on a number of boards and committees including for Historic England, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, the Society of Antiquaries, and the founding Board of National Trails UK. A champion of values-based archaeology, she has published on the contribution archaeology and heritage make to economic growth, regeneration and social cohesion, as well as construction industry guidance on managing archaeology within planning and development. She was awarded an OBE for services to archaeology and heritage in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2025. 

Taryn was first appointed as a Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and National Lottery Heritage Fund in May 2022, and chairs the Committee for England, London and South. She lives with her family on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon.

Remuneration and Governance Code

These Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund are remunerated at £20,749 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.