New research reveals a 55% drop in local government arts spending across Britain since 2010, raising concerns about public access to theatre and cultural venues. Equity highlights the effect of austerity on performers and calls for increased investment ahead of local elections.

Local government arts funding in Britain has fallen from £1.19 billion in 2010 to £539 million in 2024-25, according to analysis by the Autonomy Institute. The figures cover budgets for theatres, live performance, museums, and galleries managed by local authorities.

The decline is most severe in England, where spending has dropped by 61%, equal to £660 million less each year in real terms. Per capita local arts spending in England has plunged from £18.67 to £6.47 annually. Wales has seen a 46% cut, reducing funding by around £30 million a year, with individual spending dropping from £21.03 to £10.85. Scotland has experienced a smaller reduction of 18%, equating to £25 million less annually and spending now at £20.73 per person.

Northern Ireland was excluded from the report due to data limitations but is also reported to have faced cuts in arts funding. The research highlights that 60% of English councils holding elections in May have slashed their arts budgets by more than half since 2010, with at least eight councils reporting no net arts spending.

Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming described the findings as a “clarion call” and warned that many people will lose the chance to visit theatres. He highlighted that austerity also restricts performers’ ability to earn a living and discourages working-class creatives from entering the industry.

Fleming outlined Equity’s ongoing negotiations with subsidised theatre producers seeking pay increases amid limited funding. He urged local governments to prioritise growth-focused arts subsidies, recognising the sector’s role in local economies, tourism, and community cohesion.

Ahead of the 7 May local elections, Equity is campaigning for greater investment in arts funding, proposing it reach 0.5% of GDP, matching the European average. The organisation argues that additional resources are essential to help councils sustain arts services and cultural access.

The data underpins Equity’s Local Government Arts Funding Tracker, which compiles spending from over 370 councils across England, Scotland, and Wales between 2010-11 and 2024-25. While some councils have increased funding, others report zero net investment in arts and culture, reflecting a broader pattern of financial strain on local cultural provision.