Arts funding for North less than half of London's

PEOPLE in Northern England are being ripped off when it comes to cash for culture in their areas, analysis shows.

- David Williamson Chief Political Commentator

The region received Arts Council funding worth £28 per person between 2023 and early this year. London was granted the equivalent of £57.

The IPPR North think tank said if funding was the same as London's, some £450million would have been spent on culture in the North — enough to stage 10 Bradford City of Cultures every three years.

It pressed for responsibility and funding for arts and culture to be handed to local mayors to boost opportunities for young people.

There is concern at the life chances of youths in the area and the inequalities they face.

IPPR North claims one million “northern children are growing up in poverty” and “waiting times for talking therapies for anxiety and depression are 10 time longer than in London”.