2023 EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE AWARD

That this House recognises that the European Capital of Culture title is a prestigious award that only two UK cities, Glasgow and Liverpool, have ever held; notes that a UK city is next eligible for the award in 2023; expresses strong concern at reports that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is considering withdrawing the UK from the 2023 competition; further notes that a successful bid has been shown to boost economic activity for winning cities and their wider regions, attract tourists and engage local communities; notes that when Liverpool was awarded the title in 2008 it resulted in 9.7 million additional visits to the city and generated an economic impact of almost £800 million across Liverpool and the surrounding area; notes that Liverpool saw 10,000 people register to volunteer throughout the year and all schoolchildren participated in at least one activity; notes that a number of UK cities have been preparing their bids for 2023 and Leeds City Council have already invested £500,000 in preparing the Leeds bid; welcomes the Foreign Secretary's comments that the UK should not withdraw from the competition; and calls on Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to therefore give a clear assurance that the UK will not be withdrawing from the competition due to the many positive social and economic benefits which result from a successful bid.