When Andy Burnham delivered his first speech as prime minister at the recent Labour Party conference, he outlined an extensive agenda covering housing, social care, Europe, and electoral reform, but notably omitted any direct reference to the arts. This absence has drawn attention given Burnham’s unique background as the only UK prime minister to have previously served as secretary of state for culture, media and sport, and his well-known past as a DJ.

Culture in the UK is facing significant challenges after years of funding declines. Between 2009-10 and 2022-23, spending per capita by Arts Council England fell by 18 percent, while local authority spending on culture dropped by 48 percent. Added to this, Nesta, an innovation agency with a £250 million National Lottery endowment supporting the arts, has ceased arts funding. The elimination of the non-dom tax status in the 2024 Budget has led to substantial capital flight, which cultural leaders say has severely impacted philanthropic donations. Brexit has also had detrimental effects on aspects of the sector, including the art market and educational institutions.

Within the government, culture’s position appears increasingly precarious following the July expansion of the Department for Culture to incorporate digital responsibilities. This restructuring will see over 2,600 staff transferred from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Insiders suggest that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s priorities may shift towards broader issues such as the BBC’s future, youth opportunities, and AI-related challenges, potentially diluting focus on the arts.

A critical indicator of the government’s commitment will be its response to Baroness Margaret Hodge’s December 2025 review of Arts Council England, the quasi-autonomous agency responsible for distributing funds from the National Lottery and government to artists and cultural institutions. Hodge’s report recommends maintaining the organisation’s arm’s-length status while overhauling its strategy and funding approach. The Arts Council has already dropped its 10-year "Let’s Create" strategy after criticism that its implementation hindered creativity and innovation.

Hodge advocates for greater autonomy for arts organisations through longer-term funding, individual artist grants, reduced bureaucracy, and enhanced decision-making powers for regional boards. She also supports improved tax incentives for philanthropists outside London, aligning with Burnham’s broader devolution agenda. The proposed allocation of a portion of the new "tourist tax"—which allows local authorities to levy charges on overnight visitors—towards cultural funding has been highlighted by Laura Pye, director of National Museums Liverpool, as essential to inject fresh resources and make devolution financially effective.

Responsibility for developing a comprehensive arts strategy largely falls to Baroness Ruth Mackenzie, parliamentary undersecretary of state overseeing libraries, museums, cultural property, sponsorship, and Arts Council policy. While a formal strategy has not yet been announced, the government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining free admission to national museums and plans a "long-term strategic plan for the future of museums," with the last major review conducted in 2017.

National Lottery funding, originally intended to complement government spending, has grown increasingly vital as public funds have declined. A previous review found that awards from the lottery heritage fund to museums more than doubled between 2007 and 2017. Proposals from the Cultural Policy Unit include a time-limited reallocation of the National Lottery Distribution Fund to direct an additional £135 million annually towards arts and heritage. Additionally, suggestions have been made to establish a public-private endowment fund using lottery money to stimulate philanthropic contributions and community engagement, a concept supported by Hodge's recommendation for a £250 million endowment designed to double philanthropic fundraising.

Burnham and his close advisor, former culture secretary James Purnell, have historically emphasized the importance of culture in projecting soft power and economic growth. However, the proposed Soft Power Council, intended to be chaired by the foreign secretary, has gained little traction since its launch in early 2025, partly attributed to political shifts including the reshuffling of David Lammy out of the foreign office.

Observers note that Burnham’s government maintains a strong domestic focus, prioritizing immediate economic and social concerns amid electoral pressures. This emphasis on "bread-and-butter" issues may limit attention to cultural policy at a national level, suggesting a need to frame culture as integral to community life and civic identity.

Drawing on his experience as mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham is familiar with the benefits of cultural investment as part of urban regeneration. The city’s long-term strategy, led by figures such as Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein, positioned culture alongside sport and commerce to drive sustained growth following the 1996 IRA bombing. As Leese famously stated, “Who wants to live in a city without culture? The answer is nobody.”

Despite the sector’s challenges and the prime minister’s unique cultural credentials, it remains uncertain how Burnham’s government will develop and articulate its vision for the arts amid competing priorities.