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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what government funding is available to community groups who wish to take over the running of libraries from local authorities.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service and are responsible for funding the public library service. Some local authorities do also provide short term funding to assist community groups with running costs or one off grants to take over the running of the library.

The Government is providing support for library services and other public sector organisations to consider alternative funding and delivery models, including public service mutuals which can involve local communities as well as library staff having a stake in the public services.