Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he or officials of his Department have had with the EU Commission on UK cities' eligibility for the 2023 European Capital of Culture competition since June 2016.

DCMS officials have been in regular contact with the European Commission throughout 2016 and 2017 about the European Capital of Culture competition. We are disappointed with the European Commission's actions in discontinuing the competition and will seek further dialogue on this issue. We are also continuing to work closely with the five UK cities who have submitted bids to help them realise their cultural ambitions.