IT'S A SLASHING TIME IN ENGLAND…

2011/12 will be a transitional year for organisations funded by Arts Council England (ACE), following decisions taken in the light of the UK government's Spending Review. Most regularly funded organisations (RFOs) face real-terms cuts of around 9% (6.9% in cash terms) next year, and cuts totalling 14.9% by 2014/15. Next year £7.1m will be shaved off the five biggest grant recipients: the Royal Shakespeare Company, English National Opera, Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre and the National Theatre. All organisations which are currently funded by ACE will have to reapply for funding and individual funding decisions for 2012-2015 will be announced by the end of March 2011. Arts & Business (A&B) is to lose all of its funding from Arts Council England by 2012/13, and suffer a 50% cut in 2011/12. Creativity, Culture and Education (CCE) is also to have its funding halved, from £38.1m to £19.1m in 2011/12. ACE's current budget for strategic opportunities, which supports work such as touring, the Cultural Leadership Programme and the Cultural Olympiad, will be reduced by £21m (64%) next year.