Hull MP presses Ministers on unfair arts funding distribution

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has pressed Ministers on the continuing disparity in arts funding between London and other regions.

Speaking today in Culture, Media and Sport Questions in the House of Commons, the Labour MP quoted comments made in Hull on 28 May by the new Chief Executive of Arts Council England, Darren Henley.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I want to refer to what Darren Henley said in Hull on 28 May. He said:

"If local authority funding is widely withdrawn, there will be little our limited funds can achieve. And no net gain to our increased investment of Lottery money outside London. It will be in vain."

"As the Minister has mentioned, Hull will be UK city of culture in 2017, but we have already lost a quarter of our council funding. Does he really think that we will see any progress on closing the unfair disparity between the north and London?"