The results are in

The UK Government’s Spending Review was announced today by Chancellor George Osborne.

In summary, over the Spending Review period, the outcome for the DCMS is as follows:

• The DCMA budget is to be cut by 24% from £1.4 billion to £1.1 billion;


• Administration costs are to be cut by 41% (which includes the abolition or reform of 19 of DCMS’s 55 existing quangos – as reported here and cuts in the grant to the Arts Council England);


• It is to be ensured that national cultural assets are preserved for future generations, including by limiting cuts to 15% for core arts programmes, like Museums, Arts Council England funding to frontline arts, and sports programmes;


• Free entry to galleries and museums is to be retained.

The DCMS settlement also includes provision for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by maintaining a public sector funding package of a staggering £9.3 billion.

Art vs Sport? – apparently, the choice has been made for us.

Image source: © Simon Brader