Arts Council England: Independent Review

Lisa Nandy Excerpts

Tuesday 16th December 2025 Written Statements

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

Today, the right hon. Baroness Hodge of Barking DBE is publishing her independent review of Arts Council England.

The Government strongly welcome the review and would like to thank Baroness Hodge for her unwavering rigour and dedication over the past 12 months. We also thank the members of Baroness Hodge’s advisory panel, who freely gave their time to share their expertise, and all those who contributed to the review, either by submitting views via the online survey, or through meetings with Baroness Hodge and her team.

This Government are committed to ensuring arts and culture thrive everywhere. Access to arts and culture is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It shapes our communities and enriches our lives. We believe that excellence must be open to everyone, wherever they live and whatever their background. A national Arts Council, connected to the places and people it serves, is essential to making that vision a reality.

The review highlights the strengths of Arts Council England’s work, but it also challenges us to do better. It sets out recommendations to strengthen support for artists, reach communities more effectively and ensure that creativity is accessible to all. The Government will now consider these recommendations, work with Arts Council England to begin the process of ambitious change and respond to the review in the new year.

I will place a copy of the review and a copy of relevant annexes to the review in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS1180]