£250m cash boost for libraries and museums

Libraries and museums in England will benefit from a multi-million pound cash injection as part of a new government fund, the Cultural Secretary has announced.

£250million has been confirmed for the cultural and creative sector, with more than £125m of that total being invested in regional museums and libraries around the country.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it will invest an additional £50m each year over the next five years in culture across England.

The Cultural Investment Fund will provide funding for projects including the transformation of the National Railway Museum in York and will provide support for UK City of Culture 2021 to transform Coventry.

Money will go towards upgrading buildings and technology so public libraries are better placed to respond to the changing ways people are using them.

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan said: "Creative and cultural institutions are at the heart of our communities.

"The Cultural Investment Fund is the Government's biggest ever single investment in cultural infrastructure, local museums and neighbourhood libraries and will benefit communities across the country.

"This will help drive growth, rejuvenate high streets and attract tourists."

The £250m investment will be delivered by DCMS, with Arts Council England (ACE) having a key role in distributing the fund.

Both the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England will also play a role, particularly in the delivery of the museums maintenance fund.