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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with Historic Royal Palaces on improving the (a) visibility and (b) marketing of categories of discounted tickets.

Accessibility is a key priority for the Secretary of State, and we are committed to ensuring access for everyone, no matter their background or where they come from.

Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) has a range of programmes designed to drive accessibility of the collection. One of their notable schemes is the £1 ticket programme, which allows individuals receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, to purchase up to six tickets for £1 each per household. Last year, this initiative sold 218,000 tickets. HRP markets its schemes in several ways. Information is available on its website, at ticket offices on site, and through direct communication with community groups, charities, and organisations that support those in receipt of benefits.

DCMS officials meet regularly with HRP to discuss its engagement strategy and other operational matters. As an independent charity, HRP can implement its own marketing plans.