Conservative MP Bob Neill speaking in parliament yesterday

Conservative MP Bob Neill speaking in parliament yesterday

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ACE ‘risks legal challenge’ over ENO funding decision

Fresh calls have been made for English National Opera’s funding cut to be reversed during a parliamentary debate, with veteran Tory MP Bob Neill claiming Arts Council England's decision could be subject to judicial review.

Patrick Jowett
3 min read

MPs from across the political divide have renewed calls for Arts Council England’s (ACE) decision to drop English National Opera (ENO) from the National Portfolio to be reversed.

During a House of Commons debate yesterday (5 December) Conservative MP Bob Neill branded ACE’s decision to remove the opera company from its National Portfolio as “disgraceful behaviour” and a “misapplication” of the government’s levelling-up agenda, warning it could be subject to legal challenge.

MPs have debated the decision several times since it was announced at the start of November, including during a debate on support for artists and culture held two weeks ago.

In yesterday's discussion, Conservative, Labour and DUP politicians the funding cut not only threatens the ENO’s future, but will negatively impact nationwide access to opera and remove opportunities for young musicians.

Neill said ACE's decision could be subject to a judicial review “because the decision was made with no notice, no prior consultation and no ability for the ENO to go through a proper consultation process with its staff, who may be rendered redundant”. 

“But I am sure [ACE] would not want to get into that position when a compromise solution is readily available,” he added.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for DCMS Stuart Andrew responded to MPs comments by detailing  the success of the government’s Culture Recovery Fund and examples of areas where funding will increase in the next National Portfolio, such as Blackburn. 

But Labour MP Harriet Harman expressed frustration that he did not touch on specific arguments around the ENO decision itself.

“I am hoping that [Andrew's] speech is a sort of front, and that behind the scenes the government recognise that the instruction they have given to the Arts Council is wrong, and that the decision the Arts Council has made is wrong and that the government are going to do something about it,” she said.

“Otherwise it is too depressing to think that a Minister responsible for the arts should make a speech that does not address any of the points brought forward with great seriousness and gravity.”

Andrew closed his statement by saying the government is encouraging ACE and ENO to “continue their dialogue”.

“I have said that in each of the debates – I think this is the third or fourth we have had – and I look forward to seeing the outcome of those discussions,” he concluded.