Oral Answers to Questions

Katrina Murray Excerpts

Thursday 15th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lisa Nandy]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman very much for his question, and I will certainly make sure that I and the Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley South (Stephanie Peacock), take that matter up with colleagues in the Treasury to resolve it.

[Katrina Murray (Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch) (Lab)]

2. What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the new town of culture and UK city of culture 2029 competitions support communities.

[Anna Dixon (Shipley) (Lab)]

4. What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the new town of culture and UK city of culture 2029 competitions support communities.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)]

I am really proud that this Government have launched the UK’s first ever town of culture competition. I hope Members from across the whole House can get behind this incredible competition, which will bring back into focus parts of our country that have been ignored, disrespected and not celebrated for far too long.

[Katrina Murray]

I am seeking advice from the Secretary of State. What advice would she give to my local cultural organisations in Cumbernauld, including new and emerging arts and music spaces and the local theatre, which are excited by the prospect of the town of culture competition? How can they engage with and benefit from the competition and ensure that community-led culture is at the heart of any bid?

[Lisa Nandy]

I thank my hon. Friend for championing those incredible organisations in her constituency. Applications open this week for the town of culture competition. We have deliberately designed this contest so that it will benefit everybody who takes part, helping them to promote what happens in their local areas, with the least bureaucracy possible. We want local organisations to be heard loud and clear as part of the bids. The judging panel will be chaired by the incredible Phil Redmond, and he is designing the competition to ensure that organisations the length and breadth of this country are heard loud and clear.