Oral Answers to Questions

Priti Patel Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Stephanie Peacock]

I thank my hon. Friend for her advocacy on that issue. As an Arts Council England accredited museum, Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery is eligible to apply for the museum estate and development fund, which provides capital funding for urgent repairs and infrastructure maintenance. For other funding opportunities, the museum could also explore Arts Council and national lottery project grants and support from philanthropic organisations.

[Priti Patel (Witham) (Con)]

Essex and the Witham constituency have a range of fantastic heritage houses, museums and venues for people to visit. It will come as no surprise to the Minister and the Front Bench team that those venues are struggling because of increases in employment taxes and some of the other burdens they are now facing. Has the Department done a cumulative impact assessment on what that means for the sustainability of some of those big cultural heritage sites, and what more can the Government do to assist them?

[Stephanie Peacock]

The right hon. Member is a strong advocate for her constituency. This Government are investing in heritage across the country, with £230 million committed by 2030. I am sure the Minister for Heritage would be delighted to discuss it with her further.