Speaking in the House of Commons today, Cities of London & Westminster MP Nickie Aiken expressed her concern that the Arts Council is planning to cut funding for the English National Opera.

Nickie explains

Following on from my meetings with Stuart Murphy, Chief Executive of the English National Opera and Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley in late November to discuss the withdrawal of funding from the ENO by ACE, I spoke in the Adjournment Debate in the House today to reiterate my thoughts on the need for the ENO consider a model along the lines of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The London Coliseum currently houses the ENO as its base in the capital, but with the withdrawal of funding by ACE we need to ensure the future of jobs not only here in London, but by levelling-up the regions.

My suggestion that the ENO, like the Royal Shakespeare Company should have a London base, as well as a regional base in the South West. Modeling suggests that for every pound spent on theatre tickets £5 is spent in the local economy by tourists on restaurant bills, hotel stays and local transport. With so many jobs on the line within the company as well as the wider impact on the local economy, it is essential that the ENO looks to mirror the RSC with proper long-term funding from ACE. "I have received a positive reaction to this suggestion from stakeholders and I look forward to hearing developments. I have also spoken to the Arts Minister and he too thought my idea has merit and hopes both ACE and ENO will work together to consider it in more depth.

You can find out more about the work of Nickie Aiken MP on her website.