Tag: Department for Culture and Media

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 29 November 2023.

New £30 million fund to deliver approximately 30 new facilities to support more women and girls into grassroots sport.

• New £30 million fund to deliver approximately 30 new state of the art 3G pitches at sites supporting women’s and girls’ teams across England
• Culture Secretary announces investment as she joins Lionesses training session at St George’s Park, following UEFA EURO 2022 and FIFA World Cup 2023 success
• Move underlines major Government drive to get 2.5 million more adults and 1 million more young people active by 2030

Thousands of women and girls across England are set to benefit from a substantial £30 million cash injection from the Government and The Football Association (FA) to turbocharge the development opportunities for the next generation of Lionesses.

Following their triumph at UEFA EURO 2022 and their run to the final of FIFA World Cup 2023, the Government has announced an additional £30 million that will build approximately 30 new state-of-the-art 3G pitches and accompanying facilities. These sites will be designed to prioritise women’s and girls’ teams across England. They will be delivered by the Government, the Premier League and The FA’s Football Foundation.

Reserved peak-time slots, women and girls only evenings and priority booking for women’s and girls’ teams will be introduced at every one of these sites to drive up participation and support the demand to play whatever the motivation. The facilities will provide dedicated female changing rooms, shower facilities and accessible toilets.

The Government is providing £25 million funding, with The FA contributing £5 million, to further cement the Lionesses and Government’s shared target of inspiring more women and girls to get into sport and physical activity. The Government recently published its new sport strategy which set out its ambitious aim to get 2.5 million more adults and 1 million more children active by 2030. Former Lioness Jill Scott sits on the National Physical Activity Taskforce to advise the Government on how to achieve this ambition.

The Culture Secretary made the special announcement to the Lionesses squad in person following a training session at St George’s Park, the home to England’s national football teams. It comes ahead of the team’s crucial UEFA Women’s Nations League match against the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium on Friday 1 December.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

The Lionesses display incredible talent and have achieved highly prized success. Their Euros victory gripped the nation, their success getting through to the World Cup final lifted the national mood.

During the World Cup I said that we would do everything possible to support women and girls’ football so we can watch our Lionesses roar on the world stage for generations to come. Today, along with The FA I am launching a £30 million fund to make sure the next generation of girls have equal opportunities to get into sport.

Building on our unprecedented support for grassroots facilities, this is just the latest move in our commitment to invest in women and girls’ grassroots sport facilities, and ensure the squad’s legacy lives long into the future.

Today’s funding uplift comes on top of the Government’s existing investment of more than  £400 million in grassroots sports across the UK. Alongside investments in park tennis courts and swimming pools, the multi-sport grassroots facilities programme – which has so far delivered upgrades to 2,200 different facilities – requires 40% of funding goes to supporting participation by under-represented groups, such as women and girls and those with disabilities.

The new Lionesses Futures Fund builds upon that commitment, with the Football Foundation building on its existing pipeline in 2024/25 to invest in 30 new state-of-the art artificial grass pitches.

FA CEO Mark Bullingham said:

We are delighted to work alongside DCMS to commit this funding to the Football Foundation as it will make a tangible difference to women’s and girls’ football. The biggest obstacle to participation is access to pitches and this investment will provide high quality facilities in communities across the country that need them the most.

This funding will only be made available to facilities with women’s and girls’ football provision at their core. The local pitch is where it all starts and we hope this will help women and girls from all communities and of all ages to play the sport. For some a game of football will be simply a source of happiness and health, for others it might be a competitive challenge and for a few it will be the start of a journey to the top of the game. Whatever the motivation these facilities are designed to support the players.

The Lionesses were crucial to this funding and it again showcases the impact they have on our country. Their performances on the pitch have driven societal change and equal opportunities, and this is another tangible example of the legacy they continue to create. We’re proud to work alongside them and are grateful for everything they continue to do.

England’s FIFA World Cup 2023 Captain Millie Bright said:

We’re proud to have been able to give the nation a lot to cheer in the last 18 months through what we’ve achieved on the pitch but we’ve been clear we want to drive change off the pitch too.

One of our collective biggest motivations and core values is for females across the country to have equal opportunity. We are really pleased to see the commitment towards this funding and the promise that this will be prioritised for the growth of women’s and girls’ football so whatever the motivation to play, there is a safe and accessible area for females to go to.

Robert Sullivan, CEO of the Football Foundation said:

Thanks to the ‘Lionesses Futures Fund’ our ambition to deliver more facilities that prioritise access for women and girls to play football has been accelerated. This new fund is an exciting next step in our determination to support the rapid growth of the women and girls’ game.

Over 8,500 women and girls’ football teams are playing at sites that have received funding from the Football Foundation, whether that be for new goalposts, improved grass pitches or brand-new changing pavilions and 3G pitches. From the roots up we want to deliver better pitches ensuring healthier lives and stronger communities. Thanks to the funding of the Government, the Premier League and The FA we will ensure every community has a great place to play.

Following the Lionesses winning the UEFA EURO 2022 tournament, the Government, Premier League and The FA announced they would honour their achievement by naming 23 grassroots facilities delivered by the Football Foundation across the country after the entire Lioness squad. Former Lioness Jill Scott and current squad members Ella Toone and Rachel Daly have so far had sites named in their honour in Newcastle, Wigan and Harrogate.

The move was then followed up by a commitment from the Prime Minister to respond to the Lionesses’ call for equal access to football  in schools for boys and girls. The Government responded to these calls and continues to make progress on achieving its commitment to equal access to PE and sport for girls in schools, supported by £600 million through the PE and School Sports Premium.

In 2022, the Government commissioned former Lioness Karen Carney MBE to conduct a major review on the future of the domestic women’s game. Her Review delivered a series of recommendations on the route to lift minimum standards and deliver bold and sustainable growth at elite and grassroots levels. The Government is due to publish its official response in the coming weeks.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 29 November 2023.

The Prime Minister has appointed David Craig and Tony Hall as Trustees of The Natural History Museum Board for a term of four years.

David Craig

Appointed from 01 November 2023 until 31 October 2027.

David has 30 years of experience in financial markets data and technology and is seen as a world expert in the data, technology and market infrastructure required to drive sustainable markets.

David Craig is co-chair of the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Advisory Board member of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) launched by His Majesty King Charles III. He is a member of the IAPB (International Advisory Panel for Biodiversity Credits) and recently joined the Board of the Natural History Museum as digital and innovation Trustee.

David was the founder and CEO of Refinitiv, one of the world’s largest data and technology providers for financial markets. He was previously founder and CEO of the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) business and head of strategy at Thomson Reuters and Reuters plc. He spent 8 years as a partner at McKinsey focusing on technology and financial services clients.

David is a private investor in natural capital, Board Advisor to Triple Private Equity, director of the Green Finance Institute PMO in London and has recently been advising the Bank of England on Data and Nature Risks.

Tony Hall

Appointed from 01 November 2023 until 31 October 2027.

Tony Hall, Lord Hall of Birkenhead CBE  was Director General of the BBC for nearly eight years and before that Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House. He was Chair of the Cultural Olympiad in 2012, sitting on the Board of LOCOG.

Tony was also Deputy Chair of Channel 4, inaugural chair of Creative and Cultural Skills Council, and Chair of the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Since leaving the BBC he sits on the Communications Select Committee in the Lords as a cross bencher, is Chair of the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Chair of the social work charity Frontline and  a Trustee of the National Trust. He is the author of two books – on coal and nuclear power – and has just been awarded the Pierre de Courbetin medal for outstanding service to the Olympic movement.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the Natural History Museum are not remunerated. 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. David Craig and Tony Hall have not declared any significant political activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 29 November 2023.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Alastair Marsh as Trustee of Royal Museums Greenwich.

Alastair Marsh

Appointed for a four year term commencing 01 July 2023.

Alastair Marsh stepped down as Group Chief Executive Officer of Lloyd’s Register Group on 31 December 2020 after 13 years, having been both Group CFO and Group CEO during this time.

Safety and risk are at the heart of the LR Group, which began as Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, a marine classification company, and continues to be one of the four key global providers of this service today.

Alastair is a qualified Chartered Accountant and prior to joining LR, worked for Price Waterhouse before holding a number of senior financial management positions within the high-tech manufacturing, chemicals, software and ICT sectors.

Alastair was appointed Chairman of the Private Equity backed Accountancy Services group Xeinadin in March 2021, and a Non-Executive Director of the Hong Based Ship Management Group Wallem in July 2022. He is also a Trustee of the Royal Museums Greenwich, where he Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.

He is Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, and is a Younger Brother of Trinity House.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the Royal Museums Greenwich are not remunerated. 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. Alastair Marsh has not declared any significant political activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 November 2023.

Export bar placed on Iron Age gold brooches to allow time for a UK institution to acquire them.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has placed an export bar on a set of Iron Age gold brooches dating back to the first century BC, so that a domestic buyer can be found.

The brooches, valued at £260,000 (plus VAT of £52,000), are at risk of leaving the UK permanently.

They are a rare set of exceptionally preserved jewellery, consisting of two brooches and three chains connected by a pendant, made entirely from gold. The form of the two brooches and the style of gold working on the chain and pendant suggest they were made between 80–20 BC.

The brooches are similar to the Winchester Hoard, which was discovered in Hampshire in 2000 and is now on display at the British Museum. In both examples, the makers used pre-Roman Mediterranean craft techniques on object forms particular to France during the time of the Gallic wars and Roman invasions of southern Britain.

Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

This intricate and rare jewellery, more than two thousand years old, demonstrates the quality craftsmanship of the British Isles in the late Iron Age.

I hope this beguiling and well-preserved set can remain in the UK so that it can be studied and enjoyed for many years to come.

The minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

Committee Member Tim Pestell said:

This exquisite and rare set of brooches and chain is a remarkable survivor of the period when Roman rule was being exerted over the British Isles in the first century BC. First recognised when being sold in an English antiques shop, the set bears similarity to the pair of gold pins and linking chain found by a metal-detectorist near Winchester in 2000, now in the British Museum.

Together, these brooch and chain sets provide an intriguing reminder of the wealth and sophistication of elite jewellery, and the strength of Roman cultural and political influence on native Iron Age peoples on both sides of the Channel.

Despite their lack of provenance, the rarity and completeness of this brooch suite makes it an important example of Late Iron Age jewellery with few parallels and great research potential. I hope that a museum or private individual may come forward to enable it to be retained in the UK and made available to the public.

The committee made its recommendation on the basis that the brooches met the second and third Waverley criteria for their outstanding significance for the study of goldwork and the Roman empire during the 1st century BC.

The decision on the export licence application for the brooches will be deferred for a period ending on 23 February 2024 (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 brooches at the recommended price of £260,000 (plus VAT of £52,000 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

Offers from public bodies for less than the recommended price through the private treaty sale arrangements, where appropriate, may also be considered by the Minister. Such purchases frequently offer substantial financial benefit to a public institution wishing to acquire the item.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 November 2023.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Catherine Goodman and Stuart Roden as Trustees of the National Gallery.

Catherine Goodman LVO

Reappointed for a four year term commencing 01 November 2023.

Catherine Goodman is an artist, educator, and the Founding Artistic Director of the Royal Drawing School, which she co-established in 2000 with the former The Prince of Wales, now His Majesty King Charles III.

She trained at Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts and at the Royal Academy Schools for her MA. In 1987 she won the Royal Academy Gold Medal and in 2002, she won First Prize in the BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery. She was made Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order for services to the Royal Drawing School in 2014.

Catherine is represented by Hauser & Wirth and has had numerous solo exhibitions including ‘Portraits from Life’ at the National Portrait Gallery in 2014 and ‘the last house in the world’ at Marlborough Fine Art London in 2016; in 2019 she exhibited at Hauser & Wirth Somerset following five months as Artist in Residence, and at Marlborough Gallery New York with her solo exhibition, ‘the light gets in’. Goodman’s paintings are held in numerous private and public collections including the National Portrait Gallery, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, and the Royal Collection Trust. Goodman is included in ‘Great Women Artists’ published by Phaidon Press in 2019.

Stuart Roden

Reappointed for a four year term commencing 01 November 2023.

Until January 2019 Stuart was Chair of Lansdowne Partners having previously co-managed the Developed Markets Fund since their inception in 2001. Stuart is non-Executive Chair of Hetz Ventures, Tresidor Investment Management and Chair of Lewis Advisors.

On the non-profit side, Stuart is Chair and Founder of Unlocking Potential and Chair of The Design Museum. He is a trustee of The National Gallery, The Centre for Social Justice and the London School of Economics.

Stuart started his career in the City in 1984, joining SG Warburg & Co, then McKinsey and prior to joining Lansdowne in 2001, was a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch. He received a first-class honours degree in Economics (BSc) from the London School of Economics.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the National Gallery are not remunerated. 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. Catherine Goodman has not declared any significant political activity. Stuart Roden has declared that he has previously made a recordable donation to The Labour Party.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 23 November 2023.

His Majesty the King has appointed Catrin Anderson, Jonathan Freeman and Duncan McCourt as Board Members of the National Citizen Service Trust.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 November 2023.

Lord Parkinson speech from the launch of the British Art Market Federation’s new economic report: ‘The British Art Market in 2023’.

Good morning. I am delighted to be with you today for the launch of the latest economic survey of the UK art market by Dr. Clare McAndrew.

Thank you to Anthony Browne for inviting me to join you and to say a few words.

Anthony regularly comes to brief the Secretary of State, our officials, and me on the state of the art market, and the challenges facing it — As well he should as the issue is an asset of huge national importance.

There’s the economic impact, of course — providing direct employment to tens of thousands of highly-skilled people, and supporting almost as many jobs again in the ancillary businesses which provide the specialist skills it draws on.

There’s the fiscal contribution of some £1.5 billion, and the great benefit to the Exchequer of being a global hub for the international trade — with billions of pounds’ worth of works of art being imported and exported across our borders each year.

There’s the soft power of being the marketplace for some of the world’s most important artworks, antiques, and antiquities – and sharing the UK’s extraordinary creativity with ever larger audiences around the world.

There’s the magnetic effect it has for our visitor economy — something on fine display last month, as we marked 20 years of Frieze London, which the Prime Minister was proud to celebrate with a reception at 10 Downing Street.

The art market sustains and inspires so many wonderful exhibitions, art fairs, and other vibrant events which create additional spending and employment and attract tourists, both around the country and around the world.

Visitors to London during Frieze Week were spoiled for choice this year — with world-class exhibitions including Sarah Lucas at Tate Britain, Marina Abramović at the Royal Academy, Claudette Johnson at the Courtauld, and Frans Hals at the National Gallery — and that’s only mentioning a handful in Zone One.

That reflects the wider, and integral role the UK art market plays in our cultural life.

Our commercial galleries and dealers play a vital role in nurturing the careers of the UK’s visual artists. That’s why London has the greatest concentration of artists of any city anywhere in the world – and why so many other towns and cities across the country are similarly fizzing with artistic talent.

And I am very grateful for the expertise of the many art market professionals who advise my Department on cultural property matters.
So today is a chance for me to say thank you for the part you all contribute to that global success story.

And it is, of course, a moment to ensure we are doing everything we can to maintain it.

Today, we have the second largest art market in the world – behind only the United States, and larger than the rest of Europe put together.

But the global market is increasingly competitive – and that position is not ours by rights.

Dr. McAndrew’s report has charted the extraordinary resilience of the UK art market as it bounces back from the bleak months of the pandemic.

It has been able to draw on its great wealth of expertise and dynamism to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 – and those will be invaluable resources to draw on as it faces the challenges of the future.

But Government must play its part too. That is why I am glad to join you today – and glad to have ongoing relationship we do with the British Art Market Federation reassure you that we recognise what a great asset we have in the UK art market, and that we stand behind the sector as it works to retain its international competitive edge – and to remain a great British success story long into the future.

I know, from my conversations with Anthony and others, that leaving the European Union has brought new processes, not all of them favourable.

But having sovereign control of our borders has also brought the opportunity to innovate; to review and refine our customs rules.

We have already revoked the EU Regulation which will require import licences and importer statements for many cultural goods when it comes into effect in 2025, so that it will not apply to imports into Great Britain.

Our ambition is to have the world’s most effective border – and I am grateful to all those who have already made time to engage with our officials on the development of the new Single Trade Window.

That will provide a gateway between businesses and our border processes and systems – including, in time,  export licences which I am glad to say are in the process of being digitised by our colleagues at the Arts Council.

This will allow people to meet their import, export and transit obligations by submitting information once, and in one place.

We are also reviewing Temporary Admission to reduce administrative burdens and simplify the rules – further evidence, I hope you will agree, that the Government is listening to the UK art market.

We know that you make frequent use of the Temporary Admission procedure, and are grateful for the constructive approach taken by the British Art Market Federation and art market practitioners in their responses to the recent public consultation.

We are considering what you have told us carefully and plan further engagement, including with the art market, in the New Year. So please do keep talking to us about it.

So I hope you will see that the Government is watching not just with pride at what we have at present, but a determination to preserve it – and with appreciation for all the evidence you bring to us which helps us in our conversations across government.

Chief among that, of course, is Dr. McAndrew’s annual report – an invaluable source of information, So I’m delighted to be here today and looking forward to hearing the evidence within it.

Thanks for having me.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 November 2023.

Culture Secretary promises to remove “Sword of Damocles” anti-free press laws as she opens Second Reading of the Media Bill.

New measures added to ensure a wide range of TV genres continue to be shown by the UK’s main broadcasters, and to protect free access to crown jewel sports events
Bill will help Britain’s public service broadcasters (PSBs) make more hit shows and ensure they are prominently shown on smart TVs and via streaming sticks
A new Ofcom-regulated Video-on-demand Code for major streamers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ will better protect children and most vulnerable
TV and radio audiences could see more high quality British programmes hitting screens and speakers as new laws to maximise the potential of UK broadcasters are debated in Parliament today (Tues 21 Nov).

The Media Bill, which has its Second Reading in the House of Commons today, will update decades-old legislation to unleash the power of British broadcasters to attract bigger audiences in the UK and abroad, empowering them to invest in new talent and technology while supporting the government’s ambition to grow the creative industries by £50 billion and one million jobs by 2030.

Among the Bill’s measures, the PSBs are set to gain more control over their TV schedules and on-demand offerings through more flexible rules on the types of programmes they are required to show, allowing each PSB to focus more on the content it is uniquely positioned to deliver.

Following feedback on the draft Bill, the laws will now require PSBs to ensure an “appropriate range of programme genres” are available on their services, protecting against a potential reduction in specialist genres of shows – such as religious, science and arts programming. A specific requirement for PSBs to continue to broadcast news and children’s programming is included.

The Bill will ensure British audiences continue to access free live coverage of our biggest sporting moments, like the Fifa World Cup and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. A loophole which could have seen unregulated streaming services bypass the regime that protects free access to these major sport events will be closed, after Ministers updated the Bill.

The new definition of “relevant services” ensures that TV-like services not currently captured by the listed events regime but providing live content to UK audiences via the internet, will now be captured. This will ensure the rights for listed events continue to be offered on fair and reasonable terms to PSBs as sport audience viewing habits evolve.

Opening the debate, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is expected to say:

We are in a golden age for the silver screen and our public service broadcasters are a major reason why. Whether it’s reality shows like the Great British Bake Off and I’m A Celebrity, or dramas like Time, Happy Valley or Broadchurch – our public service broadcasters have proven they can go toe-to-toe with the streaming giants.

But success today is never a guarantee of success tomorrow. The rise of streaming giants and on-demand content, YouTube and smartphones, tablets and Tik Tok have combined to reshape our whole broadcasting landscape.

It is our job to enact reforms that keep our broadcasters at the top of their game in the years ahead. This Bill will do that by levelling the playing field, removing threats to their sustainability and opening up new opportunities to maximise growth and unlock potential.

This Bill has media freedom at its core. Section 40, and the possibility of publishers having to pay the legal costs of the people who sue them, even if they win, has hung over our media like a Sword of Damocles. This Bill removes the sword for good.

S4C Chief Operating Officer Elin Morris said:

The Media Bill will confirm S4C’s position as a multi-platform Welsh-language content provider across the UK and beyond.

The new framework will ensure that indigenous languages, including Welsh, are part of the new public service remit for television in the UK.

The Bill will extend legislation for online TV viewing and ensure that S4C Clic is available on connected TVs and prominent on TV sets in Wales.

This will allow us to further develop our services and place Welsh-language content on the main platforms across the UK.

Other measures in the Media Bill
The legislation will support our world-class public service broadcasters – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV and S4C – through new requirements for their apps and content to be shown prominently on popular smart TVs and streaming sticks.

Audiences will benefit from stronger protections from harmful or age-inappropriate shows through a new Ofcom regulated Video-on-demand Code on the biggest streaming platforms and new requirements for subtitling, audio description and signing to cover mainstream on-demand services.

UK radio will receive new protections to ensure services are easily accessible on smart speakers – from major national stations to the smallest community stations – and obsolete red tape putting an unnecessary burden on commercial radio services will be removed.

Laws which threatened to force newspapers to pay both sides’ costs in any legal proceedings, even if they won, will be repealed via the Bill. The Bill will boost S4C, the Welsh language broadcaster, by allowing it to broaden its reach in the UK and beyond and offer its content on a range of new digital services.

As announced earlier this month, Channel 4 will get new freedoms to make and own its content to boost its long-term sustainability, while new safeguards for production companies would protect millions of pounds of investment in programmes made by independent TV producers across the UK.

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 20 November 2023.

Culture Secretary brings creative industries together to discuss impact of AI.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 November 2023.

A temporary export bar has been placed on William Hogarth’s painting Taste in High Life.