Culture: Finance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if Science and Discovery Centres can apply to any of the support schemes for cultural venues announced in the press release of 21 January 2026, entitled ‘Government announces bumper £1.5 billion package to restore national pride.
Answered by Ian Murray
In January 2026, the Government announced a package of £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere funding to support arts, culture libraries and heritage over the course of this parliament. The vast majority of this funding is capital investment, and is the single biggest Government investment in arts capital in over a decade.
This investment will support more than 1,000 cultural projects to open up access to culture for everyone, everywhere. It will keep venues open, finance urgent repairs and infrastructure projects, bolster long-term resilience, and widen access to arts and culture in communities that have faced under-investment.
Science and Discovery Centres play an important role supporting science education and fostering curiosity. The Government's response to the 2025 Curriculum and Assessment Review addressed the Science curriculum, whilst the Department for Science Innovation and Technology, and its agencies, such as UKRI, are committed to supporting pathways into STEM careers. Science and Discovery Centres that are accredited museums may be eligible for some of the recently announced funds. Eligibility criteria, and details of how to apply for individual funds, will be published in due course.
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