The gap has shrunk but remains ‘unacceptable’, researchers say
The English National Opera is moving to Greater Manchester after a feud over arts funding(Image: PA)
London receives twice as much public funding per person for arts and culture than the North of England, a new report has revealed.
The State of the North report has exposed a £450m ‘chasm’ with the capital which sees the whole of the North receive just £28 per person compared to London’s £57 per person. It comes as the Labour government vows to invest more in culture across the country.
The analysis by IPPR North looks at the current round of funding, set under the Conservatives, for the period from 2023 to early 2025.
They concluded that, had the North received the same Arts Council funding per person as London, it would have seen £450m more.
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That’s roughly equivalent to putting on 10 Bradford City of Cultures every three years, researchers at the Northern think tank say.
The gap in arts and culture funding has shrunk since the previous round between 2018 and 2022, when IPPR North identified a £700m chasm. Yet researchers say there remains a clear need to redress historic underfunding and cultural exclusion in regions like the North.
The English National Opera home in London(Image: Google)
The latest findings follow a row over the English National Opera (ENO) being forced to relocate from London to Greater Manchester.
In 2022, the opera company campaigned against a decision by Arts Council England to slash its funding unless it moves out the capital.
But the following year, the organisation reached a two-year funding deal with the public body allowing it to put on a ‘substantial’ annual season at its current home in London’s West End while committing to making Greater Manchester its ‘main home’ by 2029.
Despite the shift in programming, the ENO said that it would not have its own venue in Greater Manchester, nor would it be based at a specific site, instead hosting its programme at venues including The Lowry in Salford Quays and Factory International’s Aviva Studios.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – who criticised the ENO’s reluctance to relocate – welcomed the move announced in 2023.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham(Image: PA)
In its latest report, IPPR North argues that responsibility for arts and culture funding should now be handed over to regional mayors.
The government, which has launched a review of Arts Council England last December, says it wants to ‘work closely’ with mayors.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness, who chairs the Great North group of northern leaders, said: “Culture is in the North’s DNA, and our talent and creativity is known across the globe.
“Yet too much power is held in London, and by unelected quangos, where decision makers hold the future of Northern arts in their hands.
“It’s little surprise the North has missed out on our fair share of culture investment, which has stifled the potential of our people and place.
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy is the culture secretary(Image: (Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images))
“We know culture and creative industries are a catalyst for growth and pride, and as leaders across the Great North, we are determined to end the days where the North loses out.
“Through One Creative North led by Mayor Tracy Brabin, we have a blueprint to nurture a new generation of talent and investment across the North.
“I know this Government backs our devolution call, and I look forward to discussing this report with ministers.”
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: “The Secretary of State has been clear in her ambition to tackle these issues head on and to ensure that arts and culture is accessible to everyone, everywhere.
“We are ensuring arts and culture are able to thrive across the country with our £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund providing support for our arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector.
“Additionally, our Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out the importance of unleashing potential across the UK and highlights the strong Creative Industries clusters in the North East, North West, Liverpool City Region and West Yorkshire, which will be supported by a share of a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund.”