UK Town of Culture

Department for Culture, Media and Sport written question – answered at on 9 June 2026.

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Photo of Alison Taylor Alison Taylor Labour, Paisley and Renfrewshire North

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to allow an hon. Member's office to be the accountable body for Town of Culture bids for 2028 when the Local Authority is not willing to participate in the bid process.

Photo of Ian Murray Ian Murray The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We are delighted by the interest and excitement there has been in the UK Town of Culture competition. The competition has now closed and there has been strong interest from many places right across the UK.

Local authority participation is important as it will be critical for delivery. That is why published criteria stated ‘We expect bids to be from a partnership for your bidding place and include the relevant local authorities.

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