STEVE Race, Labour MP for Exeter, has welcomed new funding for libraries in Exeter and Devon, which will receive £200,000 as part of the Labour government’s £127.8 million investment in cultural venues across England.

The funding forms part of the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund – a £1.5 billion package to support cultural infrastructure and ensure communities can continue to access arts, heritage and cultural spaces locally.

The funding will help to secure the future of libraries across Devon and improve access for local people in Exeter.

Across the country, 130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are receiving support through this latest round of funding. The investment will help organisations carry out essential building works, improve energy efficiency, upgrade technology and ensure venues remain welcoming and affordable spaces for communities.

The £127.8 million is made up of three funds:

⁃ The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) has allocated £96 million to 74 arts and cultural venues to help theatres, performing arts venues, galleries and grassroots music venues address urgent infrastructure needs.

⁃ The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has allocated a share of £25.5 million to support 28 local museums to undertake vital infrastructure works and improve the visitor experience.

⁃ The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) has allocated a share of £6.3 million to 28 library services to help upgrade buildings and technology to better meet the needs of the community. The fund has already supported 95 projects across England over five years. It is hoped that these improvements will encourage more visits from children and families, support community engagement and ensure the libraries remain sustainable and well-used for years to come.

Devon’s libraries will be able to use the funding to make improvements to buildings and technology.

Steve Race, MP for Exeter, said: “I’m really pleased that the government is investing in libraries in Exeter and across Devon.

“This is a vote of confidence in our libraries from the government, after several months of uncertainty due to Devon County Council’s LibDem/Green administration threatening huge cuts to our libraries funding.

“Libraries are at the heart of our communities and provide valuable support throughout our lives. As a child my family wasn’t able to buy lots of books, so I was a very proud owner of a library card – often asking the librarians to order in the Asterix and Terry Pratchett books that I hadn’t yet read.

“The 22,000 responses to Devon County Council’s recent consultation shows just how highly people still value their local library. I’m pleased DCC reversed its decision to cut £650,000 from this year’s libraries budget, but I will be paying close attention to the outcome of the consultation, as reduced staffing and opening hours are still on the table.

“In contrast, this Government is boosting Devon’s libraries with £200,000. This will allow for improvements to library buildings as well as investment in new technologies to modernise the way services are delivered and make it as easy as possible for people to access the services they rely on.

“I call on the Green/LibDem DCC administration to back away from any cuts, and to widen services and accessibility to our libraries.”