Council culture budgets fall by over £2bn since 2010

Council spending on culture and leisure services has fallen by £2.3bn in real terms since 2010/11, according to analysis from the Local Government Association (LGA).

The LGA says rising demand in adult and children’s social care and homelessness, alongside a 24% real terms reduction in core spending power from 2010/11 to 2024/25, has led to a squeeze across all council budgets.

In 2010/11, culture and leisure accounted for 7.4% of all council spending, compared to 4.5% in 2023/24. Over the same time period, spending in social care increased from 55.4% to 66.0%.

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Despite the decline in culture budgets, the LGA says local government remains the largest single biggest funder of culture, spending £1bn a year. But it warns that investment is under threat due to a multitude of funding streams and the system for funding bids.

‘Fragmented’ opportunities

Infographics released by the LGA illustrate the complex nature of cultural funding available to local authorities.

Credit: Local Government Association

A total 90% of available funding sources are competitive, requiring councils to bid for funding.

The LGA says each fund a council applies for takes up valuable time and resources, with many funds subject to timescales which make proper consultation and community engagement “difficult”.

The majority of available funding pots are small, the LGA adds, with 90% providing funds for three years or less. The association says only a quarter of sources are likely to be available in three years' time.

In response to its analysis, the LGA is calling for a “sustainable and fair funding” settlement for councils to allow them to invest in essential community services. It also says the small funding pots available for cultural projects should be streamlined.

“Our analysis shows that funding pressures, exacerbated by a complicated and time-consuming system for bidding for funding, has left councils increasingly unable to protect budgets for cultural and leisure services from cuts,” said Cllr Liz Green, Chair of the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport Board.

“Action is needed to secure a sustainable future for these vital services. By reducing the fragmented nature of culture funding, the government can ensure that local government remains a vital part of public culture funding and our cultural services face a brighter future.”