Everything you need to know about the Autumn Budget 2026
We examine the key announcements from the Autumn Budget 2026, exploring what they could mean for the UK’s creative, cultural and heritage sectors.
Culture Commons in UK Parliament to support launch of new report on Northern Culture
Culture Commons Founder & CEO, Trevor MacFarlane FRSA was invited to attend the launch of the Northern Culture APPG’s new report examining how the North’s cultural potential might be untapped.
Culture Commons honours young change-makers at National Arts and Cultural Education Awards
Founder & CEO, Trevor MacFarlane joined hundreds of cultural and education leaders, practitioners and young people in Manchester to hand out a special award as part of Curious Minds inaugural National Arts and Cultural Education Awards.
Hope Again? Six reflections on Labour Party Conference and the future of cultural policy
Reflecting on Labour Party Conference 2026, Culture Commons Director & CEO, Trevor MacFarlane FRSA explores a renewed sense of political optimism, the future of cultural devolution and the case for a new cultural settlement that puts the growth of people alongside the growth of regional economies.
Culture Commons invited to share national expertise on cultural devolution in Cumbria
Culture Commons joined cultural leaders, local government and those shaping Cumbria’s new devolved institutions to explore what devolution could mean for culture, creativity and heritage across the region.
UK Parliament agrees government amendment to include ‘Culture’ in flagship Devolution Bill
The move sees cultural devolution take a significant step further as English regions prepare to take on new powers and responsibilities for the arts, culture, creativity and heritage.
£1.5bn for cultural infrastructure announced by UK Government
The government has announced a £1.5 billion investment to stabilise and renew England’s cultural infrastructure. This article sets out what’s in the package, how the sector has responded, and why it matters for communities across the country.
From Second Reading to Grand Committee: advancing cultural devolution in the UK Parliament
Yesterday’s Grand Committee debate in the House of Lords built on sustained work by Culture Commons to secure a clear place for culture, creativity and heritage in England’s devolution agenda. Drawing on our evidence developed with 250 organisations, Peers reinforced a simple point: cultural capability is central to effective devolution, not an optional extra.
Influencing the debate on UK broadcasting and BBC Charter Renewal
Over the past week, Culture Commons has been working closely with a group of cross-party peers in the House of Lords, briefing them on fast-moving developments in UK broadcasting and, in particular, the future of our public service broadcasting (PSB) system.
Peers take Culture Commons policy asks centre stage in the House of Lords
The Second Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in the House of Lords marked an important step forward in our work on cultural devolution.
The arts will go back into the National Curriculum
Following today’s publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, led by Professor Rebecca Francis CBE, Culture Commons warmly welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to placing arts, culture and creativity at the heart of every child’s education.
Strengthening the Bill delivering English devolution: why culture, creativity & heritage must feature
This week, we’ve taken our work on cultural devolution right into the heart of government — submitting formal evidence to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s consultation on the new English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, now moving through the UK Parliament.
New Towns Taskforce embed our policy principles
A major new report to the UK Government puts New Towns back in the spotlight - key to delivering 1.5 million homes and tackling regional inequalities. Crucially, it makes culture central to their success. That shift could transform how we plan and sustain places in the UK.
£150m of investment for six devolved English regions
At the 2025 Labour Party Conference, the UK Government has announcement £25 million over three years for six mayoral regions - a significant boost for creative industries. Beyond the headline, the question for us at Culture Commons is: how does this investment advance the case for cultural devolution?
Government launches ‘Pride in Place’ programme: how do our sectors factor?
On 25 September 2025, the government launched its Pride in Place Strategy as part of the Plan for Change. What began as a pilot is now a flagship national policy - backed with long-term funding and new powers for communities.
Meeting Latvia’s Minister for Culture
Our Director Trevor MacFarlane FRSA was hosted in Riga by Latvia’s Minister for Culture, Agnese Lāce for a wide ranging discussion on culture, creativity and heritage.
Supporting the UK Government with a new national outcomes framework for local authorities
Culture Commons has been attending a series of high level roundtables hosted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to help support the development of the emergent Local Government Outcomes Framework (LGOF).
Minster endorses our policy on cultural infrastructure for New Towns
New Towns Taskforce report drawing on Culture Commons policy cited in an evidence session in a cross-party House of Lords committee.
New draft law on English Devolution lands
The UK Government has today published the ‘English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill’ - a game-changing moment for local decision making across England.
Culture Commons joins consortium to scope new National Cultural Data Observatory
Culture Commons joins the consortium of partners scoping a blueprint for a new National Cultural Data Observatory for the UK.