UK politics

How the UK can be a cultural superpower: think tank puts forward arts policies for new Labour government

The Fabian Society has proposed actions including introducing a tourism charge and organising a review of Arts Council England

UK government commits to building national Holocaust memorial in London

Keir Starmer’s Labour administration is reintroducing a bill that will allow the monument and accompanying learning centre to be built, after the project was challenged in the courts

School’s in: new UK biennial puts pupils front and centre

Organisers of the inaugural Camden Schools Art Biennale hope it will inspire broader action on arts education

UK politicsanalysis

What will the UK's new Labour government mean for the art trade?

From the end of tax breaks on overseas income to new anti-money laundering laws, experts weigh in on what we can expect from the change

Banksy's Glastonbury migrant boat artwork is ‘vile’, says UK home secretary

The inflatable boat with dummies of migrants is a “celebration of loss of life in the Channel”, claims the Conservative politician

UK arts bodies urge incoming government to stand up for the culture sector

More than 20 organisations have called for improved arts education and freedom of movement in Europe

Where do the UK political parties stand on culture?

Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party—even the Animal Welfare Party—tell us about their policies for the arts

UK General Election | ‘End the culture of culture washing': art world figures express hopes and fears for the forthcoming vote

We spoke to cultural historians, former ministers and museum directors about the changes they hope to see for the culture sector—and crucially, who they will vote for

Climate protestors charged over Magna Carta attack in London

Members of Just Stop Oil tried to smash the case housing the historic document at the British Library

UK politicsanalysis

Will funding crisis in UK councils lead to art sell-offs?

Sales of art collections may be forced on English local authorities that are technically bankrupt following cuts in grants from central government

UK politician says ‘liberal progressives’ running museums must resist restitution

Conservative Robert Jenrick argues that proposed long term loans of disputed works is a legal fabrication

Mary Beard calls for National Trust to ‘loosen up’ in its handling of heritage

The historian, giving a lecture at London's Royal Society, argued that by taking a freer approach to its buildings and collections, the conservation charity could fend off populist critics

Trio of disputed Rubens paintings must stay in the UK, parliamentary panel rules

Heirs of the German banker Franz Koenigs claim the works housed at the Courtauld Gallery should be restituted

Arts Council England under the microscope in government review

Mary Archer to try and identify how arm’s length funding body can make 5% saving

Police investigating Pro-Palestine protesters’ vandalism of painting at Cambridge University

A pair of activists sprayed and slashed the work depicting Arthur Balfour, whose 1917 letter advocated the creation of a ‘national home for the Jewish people’ in Palestine

Budget 2024: UK museum leaders welcome tax incentive announced by Chancellor

Museums and Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief has been made permanent in this year's spring statement

Arts Council England rows back on 'reputational risk' guidelines

The public body “will not remove or refuse funding” over political work, it has confirmed following backlash

'It's censorship': Arts Council England under fire over new policy deterring 'overtly political statements'

Update to guidelines warns partner organisations that funding arrangements could be jeopardised by "reputational risk"

High Court battle over London building could set ‘precedent’ for UK heritage development, say campaigners

The retailer M&S wants to demolish and rebuild the unlisted Orchard House, but the politician Michael Gove and activists are pushing back

'Shameful waste of money'? New King Charles portrait causes controversy

Official photograph by Hugo Burnand depicts monarch in full military regalia and will be offered to every UK public body in £8m scheme

Revealed: the latest set of pictures adorning UK prime minister’s house

Nine works from the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, displayed as part of the “museum in residence” programme, are a mirror to life in the north-east of England

Parthenon Marbles row deepens after Rishi Sunak cancels meeting with Greek prime minister

The snub comes after Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised restitution issue with Labour leader Keir Starmer

British art market yet to reap ‘Brexit dividends’, new report suggests

Clare McAndrew's British Art Market in 2023 survey shows a growing gulf between UK and US art markets, prompting key players to lobby government

Director of Restore Trust, campaign group putting pressure on National Trust, steps down from role

Zewditu Gebreyohanes said she had made the decision six months ago, and that it was not connected to members rejecting the group's councillors and resolutions at the weekend's general meeting

Retain and explain guidance on contentious UK heritage is published—at last

Government strategy underscores controversial monuments should stay in place, a move criticised by some culture professionals

Arts fundinganalysis

Private sector picks up the pieces as UK government cuts art education funding

While university arts departments are being dismantled, dealers and auction houses provide learning programmes

Thangam Debbonaire appointed UK shadow culture secretary

The Labour MP, who has held the position before, campaigned for the removal of Bristol's Edward Colston statue

Sotheby’s UK profits dropped by almost a quarter last year amid 'Brexit red tape'

An auction house spokesperson says Companies House figures do not represent full scope of business