Tag: Department for Culture and Media

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 May 2025.

People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

• Long-term sustainability and independence of UK press protected with government plans to modernise media merger rules in public interest
• Powers to call in media mergers extended beyond TV, radio and newspapers to include online news sites and news magazines
• Introduction of a 15% cap for state-owned investors will minimise potential ‘chilling effect’ whilst ensuring there is minimal risk of foreign state influence or control

People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules being set out today, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

The Culture Secretary will today confirm reforms to extend powers to scrutinise takeovers beyond traditional media to online news sites and magazines for the first time.

The media mergers regime will now cover acquisitions of UK online news publications and periodical news magazines, expanding beyond just television, radio and print newspapers as it presently stands.

This reflects modern news consumption habits, with Ofcom reporting that seven in ten UK adults say they consume online news in some capacity.

The expanded powers will allow greater scrutiny of takeovers that might negatively impact accurate reporting, freedom of expression and media plurality – which are essential to the UK’s democracy.

The government is also introducing targeted exceptions to allow certain state-owned investment funds – such as sovereign wealth funds or pension funds – to invest up to 15% in UK newspapers and news periodicals. This balanced approach will still limit any scope for foreign state control or influence of news organisations while giving them much-needed flexibility to seek business investment that supports their long-term sustainability.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

Britain’s free and independent press is a national asset like no other and it is right that we have strong measures in place to allow scrutiny of UK takeovers that might go against the public interest.

These important, modernising reforms are about protecting media plurality and reflect the changing ways in which people are consuming news.

We are fully upholding the need to safeguard our news media from foreign state control whilst recognising that  news organisations must be able to raise vital funding. We are taking a proportionate, balanced approach to a threshold for low-risk investments that will remove a potential chilling effect on press sustainability, while supporting growth under our Plan for Change.

Secondary legislation will be laid to enact these changes and will be subject to votes in both Houses of Parliament.

The proposed amendments to the definition of newspaper for the Foreign State Influence regime will apply with retrospective effect from today.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Exceptions to Foreign State Influence Regime

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 created new rules to prevent foreign states from acquiring ownership, control or influence over UK newspapers and news magazines.

The legislation covers a number of scenarios in which a foreign power could control or influence the policy of a newspaper or a news magazine enterprise – including if it holds, whether directly or indirectly, any shares or voting rights in a corporate body that carries on a newspaper enterprise, or if it has the right to appoint or remove members of staff.

The regime defines ‘foreign power’ broadly to include: the sovereign or head of a foreign state, any part of a foreign government including ministers, government agencies and authorities, and any governing political party or its officers. It applies where a foreign power could acquire control or influence over the policy of a newspaper through persons associated with it.

As permitted by the Act, the Government intends to introduce a number of targeted and specific exceptions to the regime via regulations, which are intended to offset potential negative impacts on inward investment into the press sector without undermining the core principles of the regime.

The previous government launched a consultation on exceptions to the regime which closed in July 2024. Ministers have carefully considered the responses received, including the views of newspaper groups that the previous government’s suggested thresholds were too low and would place unnecessary restrictions on their ability to raise funding.

Ministers consider that setting the threshold for State Owned Investors’ investment at 15% of shares or voting rights in a newspaper or news magazine is the most effective, simple and proportionate approach. State Owned Investors (SOIs) include sovereign wealth funds or public pension or social security schemes that make long-term investments on behalf of that state and which in many cases are operated at arms length.

The new measures carefully balance the need for newspapers and news magazines to have access to a range of investment from SOIs where control or influence by foreign states is unlikely to be a risk. It will avoid the need for the Culture Secretary to refer low levels of investment to the CMA for investigation where there is no likelihood of any material influence.

The UK has a strong track record for encouraging investment critical to growth within the media industry, and this pro-growth decision will continue that trend while providing a robust regulatory framework that protects press freedom and free speech.

Extending the scope of the media mergers regime

In November, the government launched a consultation on proposals to broaden the scope of the UK’s media merger regime. Having taken into account responses to the consultation, the government has decided to expand the scope of the media mergers regime from print newspapers and broadcasters to encompass online news platforms and periodical news magazines.

This will mean the Culture Secretary has the ability to intervene in a merger involving an online news publication that meets certain conditions relating to turnover or share of supply, where they believe a public interest consideration may be relevant. According to Ofcom’s annual report on news consumption in the UK, 71 percent of UK adults consume online news in some capacity, level with news consumed via TV and on demand (70 percent); and nearly a quarter of UK adults (22 percent) access news via print newspapers, increasing to 34 percent when including their online platforms.

News publications circulated on a weekly or monthly basis will also be brought in scope of the regime to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose given daily, local, and Sunday publications are already included.

The measures will ensure that the public interest can be safeguarded across these popular sources of news content for people across the UK. They will enable the Culture Secretary to intervene where necessary to protect the availability of a wide range of accurate and high-quality news, particularly for younger audiences as technology and news habits evolve.

The announcement follows recommendations from the independent regulator Ofcom as part of its statutory review of media ownership rules.

The inclusion of online news sites will apply both to the public interest media mergers regime and to the new Foreign State Influence regime.

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

The Secretary of State has appointed 6 Board Members to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives for four years from 10 March 2025 to 09 March 2029.

Alexandra Jones

Alexandra Jones, the Director of Anti-Money Laundering at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, brings a wealth of experience in governance, compliance, and leadership to her role. At the SRA, Alexandra leads the development and implementation of AML policies, ensuring regulatory compliance across the legal sector. Her career spans diverse sectors, including finance and regulation, providing her with a unique perspective on risk management and ethical considerations.

Before joining the SRA, Alexandra served as CEO of the Registry Trust, where she gained deep insight into legal and ethical issues related to data access, copyright, and privacy. She also held senior roles at the Financial Ombudsman Service and HSBC Bank, where she managed teams while upholding confidentiality and compliance standards. Her leadership experience is complemented by her commitment to professional development, including studying data ethics at the London School of Economics.

Alexandra’s career reflects a dedication to promoting transparency and integrity. She is motivated by the vision of safeguarding collective heritage and leveraging it as a resource for education and public engagement.

Sally McInnes

Sally McInnes was formerly Head of Unique and Contemporary Content at the National Library of Wales. A professionally trained archivist, she has extensive experience in promoting, preserving and providing access to unique content of national significance, as well as policy development within the Welsh cultural sector.

Sally has a particular interest in managing digital content, as well as improving professional competence in digital preservation, for which she has earned international recognition. As a former Director of the Digital Preservation Coalition, she worked to raise public and institutional awareness of digital preservation issues in Wales and beyond.

She has played a leading role in a number of national and international professional networks. In recognition of her contribution to recordkeeping, she was awarded an MBE in 2024 for Services to Documentary History. She is a Fellow of the Archives and Records Association.

Sally Sheard

Professor Sally Sheard is Executive Dean of the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, where she also holds the Andrew Geddes and John Rankin Chair of Modern History. She is a health policy analyst and historian, with a research focus on the interface between expert advisers and policymakers.

Sally has extensive experience of using history in public and policy engagement, including working with national and local government organisations and health authorities. She has written for and appeared in numerous television and radio programmes. In 2018 she wrote and presented the twenty-part BBC Radio 4 series National Health Stories, to mark the seventieth anniversary of the NHS. Her books include The Passionate Economist: how Brian Abel-Smith shaped global health and social welfare (Policy Press, 2013); Making Genetics and Genomics Policy in Britain: from Personal to Population Health (co-authored with Philip Begley; Routledge, 2022) and NICE: A Contemporary History of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (co-authored with Paul Atkinson; Routledge, 2025).

James Strachan

James is Chief Executive of Eastleigh Borough Council in south Hampshire, and has been a senior leader in Hampshire local government for 16 years.  In addition to overseeing local services such as waste collection, planning, homelessness support and elections, James is ultimately responsible for information governance at the Council.  Prior to moving to Hampshire, James was Director of Public Services and Marketing at The National Archives, and served as Secretary to the official review of the 30-year rule, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

James has also worked at the Cabinet Office, and had a career in publishing prior to joining the civil service.  He oversaw the online launch of Encyclopaedia Britannica in Europe and was among the first employees of the mobile network ‘3’, negotiating the first ever mobile highlights deal with the Premier League.  James lives in Salisbury and serves as a magistrate on the West Hampshire Bench, based in Southampton.

Aruna Verma

Aruna Verma is a distinguished lawyer, associate professor, and Campus Dean at The University of Law, Moorgate. With a strong background in legal education and practice, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of legal professionals. As an academic leader, she combines her expertise in law with a passion for teaching, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the legal profession.

Her career spans legal practice, academia, and educational leadership, making her a respected figure in the field. At The University of Law, she oversees academic programs, fosters student engagement, and works closely with industry professionals to bridge the gap between law school and legal practice.

Beyond academia, Aruna is known for her contributions to legal scholarship, mentorship, and commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. Her leadership ensures that the Moorgate campus remains a hub for aspiring solicitors and barristers, preparing them for the challenges of the ever-evolving legal Landscape.

With her wealth of experience and dedication to legal education, Aruna Verma continues to make a lasting impact on both students and the legal community. Aruna also sits as a Chair at The Valuation Tribunal and the Chair of Governors at a local school. Aruna is a trained mediator and online dispute resolution specialist.

Simon Wessely

Sir Simon Wessely FRS is the Regius Chair of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), part of King’s College London (KCL), the first such chair in the United Kingdom. He is also a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at the Maudsley and King’s College Hospitals.

After studying medicine and History of Art at Cambridge, he finished his medical training at Oxford. He is an active clinical academic psychiatrist with >1000 publications, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He is a Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Society of Medicine. He was Dean of the IOPPN (2022-23) and is now a Non Executive Director of NHS-England.

In 2003 he founded the King’s Centre for Military Health Research, which is now ranked 1st globally for publications on military health. He remains the Honorary Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry to the British Army, and works with several charities for Veterans. He was knighted in 2013 for services to military health and psychological medicine. He continues to have a broad interest in how people and populations react to adversity, past present and future.

He chaired the government’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act (2017-19), which should receive Royal Assent at Easter. He also was a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (2017-23). His amateur interests revolve around history, and he is proud of having written some papers in “proper” history journals. Finally, if you are a follower of “Desert Island Discs” you will know his favourite occupation is arguing in Viennese cafes , perhaps reflecting the fact that his father was born in Central Europe, coming over to the UK in 1939.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members will be remunerated at a rate of £386 per day. James Strachan requested not to be remunerated for this role. 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. None of the candidates have declared any significant political activity.

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

Community radio stations across the UK are to benefit from a £600,000 funding uplift this year to help them thrive and keep providing a vital platform for local voices.

• Much-loved community radio stations supported to grow with £600,000 uplift from government, taking total funding to £1 million for 2025/6
• Grants from Community Radio Fund to help stations create jobs, train volunteers and reach wider audiences
• Builds on government action to protect communities and support economic growth through Plan for Change

Community radio stations across the UK are to benefit from a £600,000 funding uplift this year, ensuring they can continue to thrive and provide a vital platform for local voices.

The uplift from Government will help stations in need of support to invest in staff, train volunteers, develop business plans and reach wider audiences. It takes the total funding available for community stations this year to £1 million.

There are more than 300 community radio stations in the UK, which provide a crucial service by producing local content that keeps people and communities connected, engaged and entertained.

The majority of the funding available (£900,000) will be awarded to stations in the form of grants from the Community Radio Fund (CRF), delivered by the media regulator Ofcom.

The remaining £100,000 will be managed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), working with the sector to develop new initiatives that support community radio, such as audience measurement research and supporting potential new services in underserved areas.

The Government’s decision to boost community radio funding by £600,000 for 2025/6 is part of its Plan for Change, supporting economic growth by creating more jobs and training opportunities.

Media Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

Community radio plays an important role in the lives of many people across the UK, helping to keep them informed, entertained and connected to the world around them.

We are committed to ensuring the growth and sustainability of the sector, which is why we have boosted funding to help stations create more jobs, build their businesses and reach even more listeners.

Unlike commercial radio, community stations are run as not-for-profit organisations. They typically cover a small geographic area and must benefit their area or community to be eligible for an operating licence from Ofcom. This could involve catering to under-represented groups or offering training opportunities for young people interested in careers in the media.

The CRF was launched in 2005 and since then has supported more than 150 community radio stations to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Stations are able to submit applications for grants, which are then assessed and awarded by an independent panel facilitated by Ofcom. Grants awarded are usually in the range of £5,000 to £30,000.

Mark Jones, Chair of the Community Radio Fund, said:

With the fund more than doubling for this year, we’ll be able to support new roles at even more stations. This will help community radio stations operate sustainably and continue to serve their local areas with creative and distinctive programming.

Ofcom will shortly announce more details about how they will manage the process for the 2025/26 fund, which will open for bids in September.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Government is currently developing a new local media strategy to support the sustainability of regional news.

Further quotes:

Vijay Umrao, Chair of the Community Media Association, said:

The increase in funding will help the Community Radio Fund achieve its primary role of providing grants to help fund the core costs of running Ofcom-licensed community radio stations, enabling the stations to continue their pivotal work of serving their local communities, something the sector has been doing for 20 years.

We are also particularly pleased that part of the funding will be supporting potential services in underserved areas, something we know our members will be excited about.

Martin Steers, Director of the UK Community Radio Network, said:

We welcome this uplift in support of the vital work community radio stations are doing across the country, now quite often the only local radio stations serving local communities, providing a platform for their issues, encouraging community cohesion, and holding local councils and others to account.

While it’s great to have this boost in funding for this year, it’s vital that the government looks to permanently increase the funding support available to community radio stations. This funding is needed more than ever to support the social gain and the vital service that these stations provide to their communities.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 May 2025.

A temporary export bar has been placed on a painting of the Virgin Mary by Italian painter, Sandro Botticelli.

• The work has been valued at £10.2 million
• The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting for the nation

An export bar has been placed on a painting by Italian master, Sandro Botticelli, which is at risk of leaving the UK.

Botticelli was one of the leading Florentine painters of the second half of the fifteenth century and one of the most recognisable names in art history. Botticelli became well-known for his mythological and religious paintings, often with a focus on beauty and harmony. His most famous works include The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

Valued at more than £10.2 million (£9,960,000 + £272,000 VAT) the painting depicts an image of the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ Child and is believed to have been painted in the 1470s, early in Botticelli’s career. If saved by a cultural institution, the painting would represent a significant addition to the body of work by Botticelli in UK collections. Very few early Botticelli’s remain in the UK and it would provide a richer and more detailed understanding of his work and the development of Florentine painting in the later fifteenth century.

The Virgin and Child Enthroned exemplifies Botticelli’s ability to combine radiant humanity and powerful spirituality. The shape and angle of the Virgin’s face bear similarities to the central Venus in Botticelli’s celebrated Primavera, painted in the late 1470s or early 1480s.

The artist has also given exceptional attention to the Virgin’s features, with the light catching her upper eyelids, the tip of her nose and the cupid’s bow of her lips.

Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

This painting is a perfect example of Botticelli’s genius and a unique part of history.

I hope that a UK gallery is able to save this work so that it can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come.

Christopher Baker, Committee member:

Dating from the early 1470s, this affecting devotional work, demonstrates the sophistication of Botticelli’s painting early in his career in Florence. Probably intended to inspire private prayer in a domestic setting, it is an image that has a wider resonance as it delicately explores the power of maternal love.

The cult of, or enthusiasm for Botticelli, of which it formed a part, had grown during the Victorian era and the painting arrived in Britain in 1904; it was acquired by Lady Wantage and entered the renowned Lloyd collection.

Further research on the placement of Botticelli’s work in his career and the organisation of his workshop, as well as links with the wider context of Florentine Renaissance art would all be of enormous benefit. In view of these intriguing possibilities every effort should be made to try and secure this beguiling painting for a British collection.

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

The RCEWA Committee found that The Virgin and Child Enthroned painting met the third Waverley criterion for its outstanding significance for the study of western art and its reception in later periods, Botticelli, the process and practice of Florentine workshops, and the history of collecting in the UK.

The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 8 August 2025 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 painting at the recommended price of £9,960,000 (plus VAT of £272,000, 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 six 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 9 May 2025.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Alain Clapham, Viscount Charles Colville and Professor Caroline Malone as Board Members of the Museum of the Home for a second term of 3 years, from 4 November 2024 until 3 November 2027.

Alain Clapham

Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham is an award-winning communicator and strategic thinker, recognised for his ability to shape narratives that connect institutions, businesses and communities. With a background in media, digital strategy, and cultural consultancy, he has worked with leading organisations – including YouTube, Historic Royal Palaces, Wellcome Collection and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) – to develop innovative approaches to audience engagement and institutional change.

His work with heritage bodies, brands, educational institutions and corporate leaders has positioned him as a key figure in discussions around cultural representation, public discourse, and strategic transformation. He has advised on projects that bridge policy, digital evolution, and public engagement, ensuring institutions remain both forward-thinking and accessible.

As the director of BMTstories and SUPERORGANIC, Alain leads cultural platforms that connect audiences and industry through innovative practice and creative empowerment. His work as a public speaker, facilitator and Transformative Storyteller fosters dialogue, learning, and expression across diverse communities.

Viscount Charles Colville

Charles Colville is a television producer and Crossbench member of the House of Lords. He is a graduate in Modern History from Durham University. He started his career as a journalist in the West Midlands and went on to work for BBC’s Newsnight programme becoming the Moscow producer during the fall of the Soviet Union. Moving to documentaries he made a wide range of science and history programmes working with museums and heritage organisations around the world.

He used his experience as a journalist and historical knowledge to create independent, fresh narratives. Since leaving the BBC he has made a series on the role of the Queen in our national life.

In the House of Lords he speaks on the media and digital issues amongst other matters. He has supported amendments in the Environment Bill to reduce plastic pollution. As a member of cross-party Communications and Digital Select Committee he has taken part in inquiries on digital regulation and UK public service broadcasting. The current inquiry is into the government’s consultation into the privatisation of Channel 4. He is a great supporter of the Museum of the Home and looks forward to continuing working with the Board of Trustees.

Professor Caroline Malone

Caroline Malone studied archaeology and anthropology and undertook research on prehistory in southern Europe, an area where she has continued fieldwork in Malta, Sicily and Italy, most recently leading the ERC funded FRAGSUS Project. She was Curator for English Heritage of the Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury and an Inspector of Ancient Monuments before commencing an academic career at Bristol, Cambridge and Queen’s University Belfast. She was the editor of Antiquity Journal, and also has served as Keeper of the former department of Prehistoric and Romano British Antiquities at the British Museum, as Senior Tutor of Hughes Hall Cambridge, and as Senior Proctor of Cambridge University.  She is the author of a number of books and papers. She is currently a visiting Professor at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge and  Emeritus Professor of Prehistory at Queen’s University Belfast, and is DCMS Trustee of the Museum of the Home.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the Museum of the Home 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. Alain Clapham has not declared any significant political activity. Caroline Malone has declared that she has stood as a candidate for Local Council Elections in Cambridge, Castle Ward for the Liberal Democrats in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She also canvassed on behalf of the Liberal Democrats in Cambridge, Castle Ward in 2022 and 2023. Viscount Colville is a freelance TV producer.

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

His Majesty The King will join Second World War veterans in London tomorrow for a military procession and fly past to mark VE Day 80.

• Hollywood actor Timothy Spall will read Churchill speech
• Iconic buildings across the country will light up from Tuesday evening in tribute
• National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on Thursday

Four days of national commemorations to the Second World War generation kick off in London tomorrow with a recital of iconic Winston Churchill speeches by Hollywood actor Timothy Spall.

Timothy Spall will start the events by reading extracts from Churchill’s iconic VE Day victory speech in 1945. Normandy veteran Alan Kennett, 100, will formally start the procession after being handed the Commonwealth War Graves’ Torch For Peace by Air Cadet Warrant Officer Emmy Jones.

The procession, featuring more than 1,300 members of the Armed Forces and youth groups will march down Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and up the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where Their Majesties The King and Queen, as well as Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and a number of Second World War veterans will be on a specially built platform on the Queen Victoria Memorial.

A fly past, which Members of the Royal Family will watch from the Balcony at Buckingham Palace, will conclude Monday’s events. From 9pm on Tuesday evening, hundreds of buildings across the country will be lit up to mark VE 80. Buildings include Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf’s 1 Canada Square, the Shard, Lowther Castle, Rochester Cathedral, Manchester Printworks, Cardiff Castle, Senedd, Perth Bridge, City Chambers and Belfast City Hall.

On Thursday, a service at Westminster Abbey will begin with a national two-minute silence, which is expected to be replicated across the nation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

This 80th anniversary is a moment of national unity. A time to celebrate that hard won peace, honour the memory of those who lost their lives, and remember the sacrifices made by so many to secure our freedom. Their legacy lives on today in how we stand together in defence of the values they fought for and which bind us together as a nation. This week, we come together to salute their service.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

80 years ago millions of people celebrated the end of the Second World War in Europe. This week, we will recreate this moment across towns and cities, in our homes, in pubs and on our streets.

We must do all we can to ensure that the stories and memories of this period in our history are not forgotten. We must not forget the hardships, the heroics and the millions who lost their lives.

We are here because of the sacrifices they made and the horrors they endured. This week, I urge the nation to come together and send a powerful message: we will remember them.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Across the four days, official events and services will be taking place across the UK to mark 80 years of the end of the Second World War in Europe including events in the Devolved Nations, including:

Monday 5 May:

• To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.
• The VE Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.
• Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.

Tuesday 6 May:

• An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress. This poppies installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today.  It will mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
• Scotland Salutes VE80 concert will take place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.

Wednesday 7 May:

• On the evening of 7 May 1945, a newsflash announced that the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important moment in the nation’s history, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.
• At a special VE Day event at IWM North, jointly produced by IWM and the National Theatre, some of the letters that the public submit will become part of a performance along with high profile public figures sharing letters from the IWM collection and excerpts from ‘The Next Morning’.
• A National Service of Remembrance will be held at Llandaff Cathedral.

Thursday 8 May:

• A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war. It will be a moment to give thanks and to honour a generation that showed extraordinary courage and resilience.
• The events will conclude with a concert at the historic Horseguards Parade to finish the VE Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, echoing how the nation reacted to the news 80 years before. With more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance, the concert will feature stars of stage and screen including John Newman and Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock as well as military musicians and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.

Services of remembrance and community celebrations will take place across Northern Ireland throughout the week. The Government has launched Tip Top Towns, a programme to encourage communities across the country – whether towns, villages or cities – to get together with their communities ahead of 5 May when the nation will come together for street parties to celebrate VE Day. Members of the public are encouraged to get in the VE Day spirit by making their own decorations, planting flowers, encouraging children to draw pictures for their windows or hosting arts and craft sessions.

Full list of buildings being lit up:

London:

Houses of Parliament, London

Elizabeth Tower, London

Buckingham Palace, London

10 Downing Street, London

Battersea Power Station, London

Tower 42 (Natwest Building), London

Millenium Bridge, London

The Shard, London

Tower of London, London

St Paul’s Cathedral, London

London Eye, London

Canary Wharf 1 Canada Square, London

National Theatre, London

British Film Institute, London

The Cenotaph, London

HMS Belfast, London

IWM London, London

BFI IMAX, London

BFI Southbank, London

London Bridge, London

Cannon Street Railway Bridge, London

Southwark Bridge, London

Waterloo Bridge, London

Golden Jubilee Footbridges, London

Westminster Bridge, London

Lambeth Bridge, London

Blackfriars Bridge, London

102 Petty France, London

The National Archives, London

120 Fenchurch Street, London

Twickenham/Aviva Stadium, London

North West England:

IWM North, Salford

Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building, Liverpool

Manchester Printworks, Manchester

The Royal Exchange, Manchester

Lowther Castle, Cumbria

Blackpool seafront & tower, Blackpool

Rivington Pike, Chorley

Chorley Town hall, Chorley

North East England:

Durham Cathedral, Durham

Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Newcastle

Glasshouse International Centre, Newcastle

Municipal Buildings, Middlesborough

Town Hall, Middlesborough

Town Hall Clock Tower, Middlesborough

Central Library, Middlesborough

Bottle of Notes, Middlesborough

St Hilda’s Bell structure, Middlesborough

Zetland Car Park, Middlesborough

The Issac Wilson pub, Middlesborough

Dorman Museum, Middlesborough

 South East England:

The Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

Rochester Cathedral, Rochester

Brighton Royal Pavillion, Brighton

South West England:

Runnymede Air Force Memorial, Surrey

County Hall, Dorset

Aerospace Bristol, Bristol

The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

East England:

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Suffolk

West Midlands:

Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham

Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire

Kings Heath (trees), Birmingham

National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

East Midlands:

Derwent Dam, Peak District

Scotland:

The Kelpies, Falkirk

The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk

Perth Bridge, Perth

Hamilton House, Lanarkshire

City Chambers, Edinburgh

St Paul’s Church, Perth

Northern Ireland:

Belfast City Hall, Belfast

Titanic Museum, Belfast

Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen

Strule Arts Centre, Omagh

Parliament Buildings

 Wales:

Welsh Government Building in Cathays Park, Cardiff

Welsh Parliament ( Senedd Cymru) in Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff

Castell Coch, Cardiff

Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon

Channel Islands:

Castle Cornet, Guernsey

Fort Grey, Guernsey

Beau Sejour Leisure, Guernsey

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 2 May 2025.

• UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation agreement with India
• Culture Secretary leading a delegation of cultural leaders and UK institutions to Mumbai and New Delhi this week
• Agreement to boost collaboration between British and Indian creative businesses and cultural institutions, delivering on Plan for Change to drive growth and opportunity

The UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation deal and economic links with India, as the government delivers on its Plan for Change to boost growth and opportunity.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who is of Indian heritage, arrived on Thursday for a three-day visit to Mumbai and New Delhi. She has today (Friday) signed a new bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement with India’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. She has been joined on the trip by a delegation of senior leaders from VisitBritain, the British Film Institute and the Science Museum, to drive further collaboration between British and Indian creative businesses and cultural institutions.

The agreement will open the door for increased UK creative exports to India and enable more partnerships between UK and Indian museums and cultural institutions, helping to grow UK soft power.

On Thursday the Culture Secretary delivered a keynote speech at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, which was also attended by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Her speech celebrated the living bridge that connects the UK and India, and showcased the strength and attractiveness of the UK’s creative industries, one of the growth-driving sectors identified in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy.

The Culture Secretary then toured Yash Raj Films Studio, where some of the most popular Bollywood films with audiences in the UK are made. Both the UK and India boast rich cinematic traditions and share a deep mutual interest in each other’s storytelling cultures, and the Culture Secretary wants to see more collaboration between UK and Indian film productions.

UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said:

In the arts and creative industries, Britain and India lead the world and I look forward to this agreement opening up fresh opportunities for collaboration, innovation and economic growth for our artists, cultural institutions and creative businesses.

Growing up as a mixed race child with proud Indian heritage, I saw first hand how the UK’s culture – from food, fashion and film to music, sport and literature – is enriched by the unique contribution of the Indian diaspora. It has given me a deep connection to India’s culture and people and it is an honour to be visiting this magnificent country to forge a closer cultural partnership.

During the visit:

• This evening the Culture Secretary will attend a marquee event at the British Council in Delhi, where she will preview performances from India’s Serendipity Arts Festival which is due to hold a mini festival in Birmingham in May and a large-scale event in London next year.
• At the same reception, Visit Britain CEO Patricia Yates will launch the Starring GREAT Britain campaign in India, which will draw upon film and TV locations as a driver for inward tourism to the UK.
• In the Okhla neighbourhood of Delhi, she will tour boutique fashion houses and workshops and meet a range of Indian fashion designers with UK links.
• Earlier today the Culture Secretary met female cricketers at the Sharad Pawar Sports Club, ahead of India hosting the Women’s Cricket World Cup in October 2025. On Saturday she will meet football coaches involved in the Premier League Primary Stars programme in India, a partnership between the Premier League and the British Council to improve physical and sports education in primary schools. Earlier this week the Premier League announced it was opening a new office in Mumbai.
• As well as her meetings with the Minister for Culture and senior Indian government ministers, the Culture Secretary is also expected to meet with significant Indian investors and business leaders.

Actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar said:

The creative industries are a powerful, enjoyable way to bring people together so I hope this visit further solidifies a mutual appreciation not just of the long established arts of both countries but also the evolving areas of film, music and theatre that are successfully combining artistic traditions from India and the UK to explore and cement what is a unique relationship.

Film director Gurinder Chadha said:

As a filmmaker who has spent my career celebrating being British Punjabi and honouring the connections between Britain and India, it is great to see our cultural bonds further strengthened through this new agreement from my friend and colleague Lisa Nandy.

Now we have a real opportunity to unlock exciting new creative opportunities for artists and storytellers to the benefit of both our countries.

ENDS

UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation Agreement

• The Culture Secretary and Minister for Culture are expected to formally sign the UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation. The two nations will commit to enhancing cultural exchange between the UK and India through the arts and heritage, and to encourage long-term partnerships between UK and Indian businesses and cultural institutions.
• Implementation will involve the British Council in India and the Indian Ministry of Culture, with participation from major UK cultural institutions including Arts Council England, the British Library, the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum Group and the V&A Museum. This has the potential for British museums to launch new partnerships on exhibitions or public programmes that engage the Indian diaspora in the UK.
• The UK will work with India to support best practice and expertise on heritage conservation, museum management and digitisation of collections – including making knowledge contained in South Asian manuscripts more widely accessible, and the protection of cultural property, with both nations committing to combat illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts.

Further quotes:

Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group, said:

This commitment from the British and Indian Governments to deeper cultural cooperation will further strengthen our relationships with Indian cultural and scientific organisations, helping the Science Museum Group to share ever more fascinating stories of scientific discovery with audiences in both the UK and India.

Visitors to Science City in Kolkata can explore our Injecting Hope exhibition – which delves into the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and was created in partnership with India’s National Council of Science Museums – now on display as part of an international tour that has inspired nearly five million visitors in museums across India, China and the UK.”

Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said:

The V&A is delighted to contribute to the new UK-India cultural partnership. It will increase our ability to loan more objects from our world-class collection, and build strategic relationships with the booming Indian arts scene across design, fashion, photography, and performance.

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said:

The British Museum’s collaboration with partner museums across India are some of our deepest and most successful. For example, in Mumbai, we have a groundbreaking partnership with the CSMVS Museum – one of India’s biggest – which is based around the reciprocal exchange of objects, knowledge, and ideas.

I’m delighted that the UK-India Cultural Cooperation Agreement recognises, at the highest level, the importance of cultural collaboration between our two countries and we look forward to strengthening these partnerships further.”

Director of the Natural History Museum Doug Gurr said:

India is clearly a nation of talented, passionate and prolific wildlife photographers! Indian photographers have consistently been well-represented in our prestigious photography competition Wildlife Photography of the Year – and this year we had a record-breaking number of over 300 entrees from India, an increase of 79 per cent!

It has been our honour to share the awe-inspiring images of our Indian alumni to millions of people worldwide and we have had the pleasure of collaborating with Dhritiman Mukherjee, Ripan Biswas and Nayan Khanolkar to deliver conservation photography workshops for young people in Kolkata. We are thrilled that our connection continues at the Visual Poetries Photography Festival in Gujarat this summer, with our Competition Manager joining their jury and our Wildlife Photography of the Year Highlights on display throughout.

Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive of the British Library, said:

The British Library has a long history of successful collaboration with our peers in India, including on the landmark ‘Two Centuries of Indian Print’ project and through our Endangered Archives Programme.

We warmly welcome this agreement which will provide opportunities to further deepen our partnerships, exchange valuable professional skills and insights, and strengthen our shared networks of knowledge and culture.

More information:

• VisitBritain forecasts a record 766,000 visits from India to the UK in 2025, up 7 percent on 2024, with travellers spending £1 billion – a 12 per cent year-on-year growth.
• The BPI has reported that British music exports to India experienced a significant 26.3 percent increase in revenue. This moves India into the top 20 biggest overseas territories for UK recorded music, and there have recently been tours by major British acts including Coldplay in January and Ed Sheeran in February.

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 2 May 2025.

The Secretary of State has appointed Jude Kelly and Janet Pope as Non-Executive Board Members for terms of three years from 23 April 2025 to 22 April 2028.

Jude Kelly

Jude Kelly CBE is an internationally acclaimed creative leader who has founded and steered some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions, arts festivals, charities, and outreach programmes. A pioneer for social progress, Jude is renowned for championing inclusion, gender equality and diversity. She is the former Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre , founder Artistic Director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse ( now Leeds Playhouse) and the Founder and current Head of Global Advisory of WOW – Women of the World which runs festivals and programmes in  many parts of the UK including Bradford, Durham, Hull, Manchester Rotherham and internationally in 26 countries . Jude has directed over 200 theatre and opera productions, led the Culture programme for the London Olympic and Paralympic 2012 bid and was  a Cultural Leader in Residence for the World Economic Forum 2024. She is the eighth Master of St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford, a Board member of Creative UK and cultural adviser to The Eden Project. She is the inaugural Chair of One Creative North.

Janet Pope

Janet Pope is currently Chair of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Bank and Environment and Social Purpose Committee Chair at Yorkshire Building Society. She is also a Trustee at StepChange, the debt advisory charity. Janet recently retired from her role as Chief of Staff and Chief Sustainability Officer at Lloyds Banking Group where she was a Group Director for more than ten years and previously Savings Director.  Her earlier roles include CEO Alliance Trust Savings, EVP Strategy at Visa and Retail Banking Director (Africa) at Standard Chartered Bank. Janet’s previous non-executive roles include board roles at the Banking Standards Board and government audit committee roles at DCLG and ODPM. Janet read Economics at the LSE and holds an MSc Economics and MBA from London University.

As well as sitting on the Departmental Board, Janet has been appointed to chair the Department’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Remuneration and Governance Code

These roles receive an annual remuneration of £15,000 per annum (£20,000 for Audit and Risk role). 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.

Jude Kelly has declared that she is a member of The Labour Party and canvassed on their behalf at the last general election.  Janet Pope has declared that she was a Labour  Councillor for the London Borough of Camden from 1986-1990, Chair of Camden Town with Primrose Hill Branch of Holborn & St Pancras Labour Party 2021-2023 and from 2024 she is currently Treasurer of Camden Central branch Holborn & St Pancras Labour Party 2024

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations) including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. DCMS is committed to ensuring that the boards of public bodies benefit from a range of talents, backgrounds, and perspectives, and welcome applications from across the country. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply for a role visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 30 April 2025.

The Prime Minister has appointed Professor Dame Janet Beer, Emma Loxton and Sheena Wagstaff as Trustees of the Imperial War Museum for a four year term from 1 March 2025 to 31 October 2028.

Professor Dame Janet Beer

Professor Dame Janet Beer was the Vice-Chancellor at Oxford Brookes 2007-2015 and at the University of Liverpool 2015-2022. She was President of Universities UK 2017-2019 and was awarded a Damehood in the New Years Honours list 2018 for services to higher education and equality and diversity. She is Chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance; a Member of the Board of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle; an Independent Governor of Northumbria University; a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum; Trustee of the Royal Anniversary Trust and serves on the National Leadership Advisory Board, Cabinet Office. She is also Patron of the Mark Evison Foundation which exists to provide opportunities for young people to undertake personally designed challenges.

Emma Loxton

Emma Loxton is a partner at McKinsey & Company where she co-leads McKinsey’s work with defence, transport, and industrial companies in the UK. Emma has over 15 years’ experience advising institutions in the private sector on strategy and transformation. She has provided extensive pro bono support to arts institutions and homelessness charities in the UK on strategy and financial sustainability.

Sheena Wagstaff

Sheena Wagstaff is former Chair of Modern and Contemporary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, honored in 2022 as Chair Emerita. Her tenure was distinguished by leading The Met Breuer, establishing a transnational collection of modern and contemporary art, initiating an acclaimed exhibition program plus two series of artist commissions within the context of the museum’s global collections spanning 5,000 years. As Chief Curator of Tate Modern (2001-12), she commissioned artists for the Turbine Hall and devised the exhibition program. Working at leadership level for 30 years for institutions with strong civic values, she was previously Head of Exhibitions & Displays at Tate Britain, and Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Education at the Frick Art Museum, Pittsburgh. Wagstaff has extensive experience collaborating with architects on capital design projects, including David Chipperfield Architects, Herzog & De Meuron, Selldorf Architects, and others. She serves on the Professional Fine Arts Committee of the Foundation for Art & Preservation in Embassies, Washington DC; the International Advisory Committee of Istanbul Modern; the Advisory Board of Delfina Foundation, London.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the Imperial War 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. Dame Janet Beer declared that she canvassed on behalf of the Labour Party in 1997. Emma Loxton is married to Gareth Davies CB, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business and Trade. Sheena Wagstaff has not declared any significant political activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 28 April 2025.

The Secretary of State has appointed Alex Ely as the Chair of the Museum of the Home for a term of four years, which commenced on 23 March 2025.

Alex Ely

Alex is Founder Director of Mæ, an architecture and urban design studio based in London. Alex is a RIBA Chartered Architect and a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, he graduated from the Royal College of Art. Under his leadership, Mæ has gained international recognition for its innovative and socially responsive design approach, delivering acclaimed projects across masterplanning, housing, healthcare, and cultural buildings.

Alex oversees Mæ’s design direction, and has won numerous accolades including the RIBA Stirling Prize 2023. He is a leading voice in the built environment, and has shaped national housing policy having advised the Government and the Mayor of London on urban and planning policy promoting an agenda of design excellence. He has taught at a number of UK Schools of Architecture, written several books, and exhibited internationally.

Alex Ely quote:

“I am delighted to be appointed by the Secretary of State as Chair of the Museum of the Home. The Museum plays a crucial role in the advancement of education and promoting debate about the importance of home in and for societies. As one of our foremost cultural institutions I look forward to helping advance its mission and build on its purpose to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together.”

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of the Museum of the Home is 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. Alex has not declared any significant political activity.