The Government has published the Culture White Paper which sets out its vision, strategy and proposals for the cultural sectors (the arts, museums and galleries, libraries, archives and heritage).

The White Paper repeats the commitment in the Budget to broaden the eligibility criteria for the VAT refund scheme so that more museums and galleries which offer free public access to their collections can benefit. It also reiterates the intention to introduce a new Museums and Galleries tax relief from April 2017, and confirms that consultation on this will begin in the summer.

Importantly, it also offers the first formal written confirmation that the 80 per cent mandatory relief for charities will continue to operate as before. It also confirms that there are no changes to discretionary relief which is a matter for local authorities.