Trevor MacFarlane
@trevormacf.bsky.social
Founder CEO of Culture Commons
Former Advisor to senior Labour politicians
Senior Researcher at Labour Together
Fellow of Royal Society of Arts
IVLP Alumnus at US Department of State
Former Advisor to senior Labour politicians
Senior Researcher at Labour Together
Fellow of Royal Society of Arts
IVLP Alumnus at US Department of State
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
Major news in education!
#Arts #culture & #creativity will go back into the heart of the national curriculum in England 🙌
The UK Gov’s @departmentforedu.bsky.social has confirmed it will take forward major reforms proposed by Professor Becky Francis review
www.culturecommons.uk/news/the-art...
#Arts #culture & #creativity will go back into the heart of the national curriculum in England 🙌
The UK Gov’s @departmentforedu.bsky.social has confirmed it will take forward major reforms proposed by Professor Becky Francis review
www.culturecommons.uk/news/the-art...
The arts will go back into the National Curriculum — Culture Commons
Following today’s publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review , led by Professor Rebecca Francis CBE, Culture Commons warmly welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to placing arts, culture a...
www.culturecommons.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Major news in education!
#Arts #culture & #creativity will go back into the heart of the national curriculum in England 🙌
The UK Gov’s @departmentforedu.bsky.social has confirmed it will take forward major reforms proposed by Professor Becky Francis review
www.culturecommons.uk/news/the-art...
#Arts #culture & #creativity will go back into the heart of the national curriculum in England 🙌
The UK Gov’s @departmentforedu.bsky.social has confirmed it will take forward major reforms proposed by Professor Becky Francis review
www.culturecommons.uk/news/the-art...
If we don’t embed culture, creativity and heritage into the DNA of the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, we risk locking our sectors out of the frameworks that will shape investment, growth and social policy for a generation…👇
🧭 The English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill will shape local powers for a generation
BUT #culture #creativity & #heritage are barely mentioned!
We’ve submitted evidence + amendments to MHCLG to change that
Read more 👉 www.culturecommons.uk/news/strengt...
BUT #culture #creativity & #heritage are barely mentioned!
We’ve submitted evidence + amendments to MHCLG to change that
Read more 👉 www.culturecommons.uk/news/strengt...
Strengthening the Bill delivering English devolution: why culture, creativity & heritage must feature — Culture Commons
This week, we’ve taken our work on cultural devolution right into the heart of government — submitting formal evidence to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s consultation on th...
www.culturecommons.uk
October 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM
If we don’t embed culture, creativity and heritage into the DNA of the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, we risk locking our sectors out of the frameworks that will shape investment, growth and social policy for a generation…👇
So sorry to hear of the passing of #PrunellaScales
Sending my best wishes to Sam and Joseph West
Their parents brought - and will continue to bring through the legacy they leave - a huge amount of joy to the nation
Sending my best wishes to Sam and Joseph West
Their parents brought - and will continue to bring through the legacy they leave - a huge amount of joy to the nation
October 28, 2025 at 1:20 PM
So sorry to hear of the passing of #PrunellaScales
Sending my best wishes to Sam and Joseph West
Their parents brought - and will continue to bring through the legacy they leave - a huge amount of joy to the nation
Sending my best wishes to Sam and Joseph West
Their parents brought - and will continue to bring through the legacy they leave - a huge amount of joy to the nation
#NigelFarage needs a civics lesson.
Calling for a “parliamentary court” is pure Trump cosplay.
In Britain, we don’t do show trials - we do the rule of law.
Justice depends on the separation of powers, not on populist stunts.
Calling for a “parliamentary court” is pure Trump cosplay.
In Britain, we don’t do show trials - we do the rule of law.
Justice depends on the separation of powers, not on populist stunts.
October 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
#NigelFarage needs a civics lesson.
Calling for a “parliamentary court” is pure Trump cosplay.
In Britain, we don’t do show trials - we do the rule of law.
Justice depends on the separation of powers, not on populist stunts.
Calling for a “parliamentary court” is pure Trump cosplay.
In Britain, we don’t do show trials - we do the rule of law.
Justice depends on the separation of powers, not on populist stunts.
Important publication! Wonderful to see culture creative & heritage infrastructures embedded in here in-line with @culturecommons.bsky.social recommendations! Thanks to Diane and the whole Taskforce for the detailed work on this
The report from the New Towns Taskforce - I was a member - is out: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d694... Now over to the government....
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Important publication! Wonderful to see culture creative & heritage infrastructures embedded in here in-line with @culturecommons.bsky.social recommendations! Thanks to Diane and the whole Taskforce for the detailed work on this
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
The UK Gov’s new ‘Pride in Place’ strategy is now a flagship policy
£billions for neighbourhood renewal
powers for communities
#culture + #heritage in scope
But will Neighbourhood Boards see our sectors as key enablers or add ons?
We dig into the details 👉 www.culturecommons.uk/news/pride-i...
£billions for neighbourhood renewal
powers for communities
#culture + #heritage in scope
But will Neighbourhood Boards see our sectors as key enablers or add ons?
We dig into the details 👉 www.culturecommons.uk/news/pride-i...
www.culturecommons.uk
September 26, 2025 at 2:30 AM
The UK Gov’s new ‘Pride in Place’ strategy is now a flagship policy
£billions for neighbourhood renewal
powers for communities
#culture + #heritage in scope
But will Neighbourhood Boards see our sectors as key enablers or add ons?
We dig into the details 👉 www.culturecommons.uk/news/pride-i...
£billions for neighbourhood renewal
powers for communities
#culture + #heritage in scope
But will Neighbourhood Boards see our sectors as key enablers or add ons?
We dig into the details 👉 www.culturecommons.uk/news/pride-i...
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
Last week, Director @trevormacf.bsky.social was hosted in #Riga by Latvia’s Minister for Culture, Agnese Lāce
The discussion explored cultural #data, #devolution, inter-cultural #dialogue, and the future of #culturalrelations between the #UK and #Baltic states at a time of global uncertainty
The discussion explored cultural #data, #devolution, inter-cultural #dialogue, and the future of #culturalrelations between the #UK and #Baltic states at a time of global uncertainty
September 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Last week, Director @trevormacf.bsky.social was hosted in #Riga by Latvia’s Minister for Culture, Agnese Lāce
The discussion explored cultural #data, #devolution, inter-cultural #dialogue, and the future of #culturalrelations between the #UK and #Baltic states at a time of global uncertainty
The discussion explored cultural #data, #devolution, inter-cultural #dialogue, and the future of #culturalrelations between the #UK and #Baltic states at a time of global uncertainty
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
We’re been working with the UK Government on the emergent Local Government Outcomes Framework
@trevormacf.bsky.social has been advocating for the #creative #cultural & #heritage sectors to be well positioned in the key indicators
More here👇
www.culturecommons.uk/news/local-g...
@trevormacf.bsky.social has been advocating for the #creative #cultural & #heritage sectors to be well positioned in the key indicators
More here👇
www.culturecommons.uk/news/local-g...
Supporting the UK Government with a new national outcomes framework for local authorities — Culture Commons
Culture Commons has been attending a series of high level roundtables hosted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to help support the development of the emergent Local Governme...
www.culturecommons.uk
August 21, 2025 at 7:01 AM
We’re been working with the UK Government on the emergent Local Government Outcomes Framework
@trevormacf.bsky.social has been advocating for the #creative #cultural & #heritage sectors to be well positioned in the key indicators
More here👇
www.culturecommons.uk/news/local-g...
@trevormacf.bsky.social has been advocating for the #creative #cultural & #heritage sectors to be well positioned in the key indicators
More here👇
www.culturecommons.uk/news/local-g...
Thank you to First Minister of
🏴 @johnswinney.bsky.social for the invitation to #Edinburgh today for his statement on #culture & the #creative industries
Proud @culturecommons.bsky.social helped the National Performing Companies of Scotland secure a significant uplift in a recent gov budget
🏴 @johnswinney.bsky.social for the invitation to #Edinburgh today for his statement on #culture & the #creative industries
Proud @culturecommons.bsky.social helped the National Performing Companies of Scotland secure a significant uplift in a recent gov budget
July 31, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Thank you to First Minister of
🏴 @johnswinney.bsky.social for the invitation to #Edinburgh today for his statement on #culture & the #creative industries
Proud @culturecommons.bsky.social helped the National Performing Companies of Scotland secure a significant uplift in a recent gov budget
🏴 @johnswinney.bsky.social for the invitation to #Edinburgh today for his statement on #culture & the #creative industries
Proud @culturecommons.bsky.social helped the National Performing Companies of Scotland secure a significant uplift in a recent gov budget
Could you be a Trustee of National Museums Liverpool?
They run several internationally recognised #museums & #art #galleries
Looking for 4 new trustees with a range of skills - details below
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8886
They run several internationally recognised #museums & #art #galleries
Looking for 4 new trustees with a range of skills - details below
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8886
Appointment details – National Museums Liverpool, x4 Trustees – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk
July 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Could you be a Trustee of National Museums Liverpool?
They run several internationally recognised #museums & #art #galleries
Looking for 4 new trustees with a range of skills - details below
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8886
They run several internationally recognised #museums & #art #galleries
Looking for 4 new trustees with a range of skills - details below
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8886
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
Minister @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social endorses our recommendation to embed ‘cultural infrastructure’ into New Towns masterplanning
www.culturecommons.uk/news/minster...
www.culturecommons.uk/news/minster...
Minster endorses our policy on cultural infrastructure for New Towns — Culture Commons
New Towns Taskforce report drawing on Culture Commons policy cited in an evidence session in a cross-party House of Lords committee.
www.culturecommons.uk
July 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Minister @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social endorses our recommendation to embed ‘cultural infrastructure’ into New Towns masterplanning
www.culturecommons.uk/news/minster...
www.culturecommons.uk/news/minster...
#devolution news!
Major Bill tabled with game-changing provisions for communities and mayors across England
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Major Bill tabled with game-changing provisions for communities and mayors across England
@culturecommons.bsky.social
The UK Government has tabled a new Bill on English #devolution in @ukparliament.parliament.uk
We’ve been monitoring devo closely since we launched a four nations open #policy development programme w/ 30 partners
Initial headlines w/ analysis to follow👇
www.culturecommons.uk/news/new-dra...
We’ve been monitoring devo closely since we launched a four nations open #policy development programme w/ 30 partners
Initial headlines w/ analysis to follow👇
www.culturecommons.uk/news/new-dra...
New draft law on English Devolution lands — Culture Commons
The UK Government has today published the ‘English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill’ - a game-changing moment for local decision making across England.
www.culturecommons.uk
July 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
#devolution news!
Major Bill tabled with game-changing provisions for communities and mayors across England
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Major Bill tabled with game-changing provisions for communities and mayors across England
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Sad to say but poor coverage of Macron #StateVisit by BBC tonight
No sound, no translation, no relevant commentary following
La #BBC peut faire mieux!
No sound, no translation, no relevant commentary following
La #BBC peut faire mieux!
July 8, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Sad to say but poor coverage of Macron #StateVisit by BBC tonight
No sound, no translation, no relevant commentary following
La #BBC peut faire mieux!
No sound, no translation, no relevant commentary following
La #BBC peut faire mieux!
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
We’re still an independent and not for profit think & do tank dedicated to the UK’s #creative #cultural and #heritage ecosystem…
…we’ve just had a little refresh!
We’ve brightened things up and made our projects, publications and services more accessible.
www.culturecommons.uk
…we’ve just had a little refresh!
We’ve brightened things up and made our projects, publications and services more accessible.
www.culturecommons.uk
June 27, 2025 at 1:59 PM
We’re still an independent and not for profit think & do tank dedicated to the UK’s #creative #cultural and #heritage ecosystem…
…we’ve just had a little refresh!
We’ve brightened things up and made our projects, publications and services more accessible.
www.culturecommons.uk
…we’ve just had a little refresh!
We’ve brightened things up and made our projects, publications and services more accessible.
www.culturecommons.uk
The UK Government have published the Sector Plan today. It sets out actions until 2035 and will play an important role in guiding policy for the coming years.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68586c...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68586c...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
June 23, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The UK Government have published the Sector Plan today. It sets out actions until 2035 and will play an important role in guiding policy for the coming years.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68586c...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68586c...
I remember having to stand in that separate queue…good to see them over
Genuinely so happy the separate queues have died a death.
June 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I remember having to stand in that separate queue…good to see them over
Can an #economist help me with a Q on the #SpendingReview?
Column showing % change “Phase 2 Period” for DEL spend in DCMS (see pic) doesn’t seem to add up.
Should be -4% total and I can’t see why that might be…?
Thanks in advance, smarter people than I
Column showing % change “Phase 2 Period” for DEL spend in DCMS (see pic) doesn’t seem to add up.
Should be -4% total and I can’t see why that might be…?
Thanks in advance, smarter people than I
June 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Can an #economist help me with a Q on the #SpendingReview?
Column showing % change “Phase 2 Period” for DEL spend in DCMS (see pic) doesn’t seem to add up.
Should be -4% total and I can’t see why that might be…?
Thanks in advance, smarter people than I
Column showing % change “Phase 2 Period” for DEL spend in DCMS (see pic) doesn’t seem to add up.
Should be -4% total and I can’t see why that might be…?
Thanks in advance, smarter people than I
Reposted by Trevor MacFarlane
Ah this is interesting devo news. London will get an integrated settlement after all from next year.
It'll be interesting to see how the model differs in London compared to the combined authorities, and whether it'll require constitutional change in the GLA-Council relationship to make it work
It'll be interesting to see how the model differs in London compared to the combined authorities, and whether it'll require constitutional change in the GLA-Council relationship to make it work
June 11, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Ah this is interesting devo news. London will get an integrated settlement after all from next year.
It'll be interesting to see how the model differs in London compared to the combined authorities, and whether it'll require constitutional change in the GLA-Council relationship to make it work
It'll be interesting to see how the model differs in London compared to the combined authorities, and whether it'll require constitutional change in the GLA-Council relationship to make it work
Game-changing investment in social housing
Angela Rayner + Chancellor will have worked v hard to secure this
Cultural infrastructure can now empower communities to turn these new houses into homes
👀ing to DCMS & MHCLG to build joint investment progs to make it so!
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Angela Rayner + Chancellor will have worked v hard to secure this
Cultural infrastructure can now empower communities to turn these new houses into homes
👀ing to DCMS & MHCLG to build joint investment progs to make it so!
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Chancellor promises biggest investment in social and affordable homes in a generation to hit 1.5m target
Rachel Reeves will raise government spending on affordable housing by nearly double on Wednesday, providing a major boost to the housebuilding sector and bringing the government’s housing targets a step closer.
The chancellor will announce nearly £40bn worth of grants to be spent over 10 years for local authorities, private developers and housing associations – a major increase on the previous programme. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Game-changing investment in social housing
Angela Rayner + Chancellor will have worked v hard to secure this
Cultural infrastructure can now empower communities to turn these new houses into homes
👀ing to DCMS & MHCLG to build joint investment progs to make it so!
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Angela Rayner + Chancellor will have worked v hard to secure this
Cultural infrastructure can now empower communities to turn these new houses into homes
👀ing to DCMS & MHCLG to build joint investment progs to make it so!
@culturecommons.bsky.social
Below, the city bristles—
All brick heat and bus brakes
Above it all,
this bloom, this breath
Sits atop my windowsill.
All brick heat and bus brakes
Above it all,
this bloom, this breath
Sits atop my windowsill.
June 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Below, the city bristles—
All brick heat and bus brakes
Above it all,
this bloom, this breath
Sits atop my windowsill.
All brick heat and bus brakes
Above it all,
this bloom, this breath
Sits atop my windowsill.
Such wonderful news for my home city of Manchester and the whole of the UK - a huge congratulations to @esmeward.bsky.social and the team at Manchester Museum!
www.timeout.com/uk/news/its-...
www.timeout.com/uk/news/its-...
It’s official: the best museum in Europe is in the UK
An unexpected British museum has been named the European Museum of the Year for 2025.
www.timeout.com
June 6, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Such wonderful news for my home city of Manchester and the whole of the UK - a huge congratulations to @esmeward.bsky.social and the team at Manchester Museum!
www.timeout.com/uk/news/its-...
www.timeout.com/uk/news/its-...
“responsible radicalism”
…goes the death rattle of an entirely redundant party
…goes the death rattle of an entirely redundant party
Liz Truss was 'right' to be radical, but the numbers need to 'add up', shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride tells Sky News
Liz Truss was 'right' to be radical, but the numbers need to 'add up', shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride tells Sky News
Former prime minister Liz Truss was right to be radical, but the numbers need to "add up", the Conservative shadow chancellor has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
June 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
“responsible radicalism”
…goes the death rattle of an entirely redundant party
…goes the death rattle of an entirely redundant party
Liz Truss despises the UK so acutely that she ran our economy into the ground and is now running about telling everyone how awful we are
Just staggering
Just staggering
June 1, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Liz Truss despises the UK so acutely that she ran our economy into the ground and is now running about telling everyone how awful we are
Just staggering
Just staggering
“This century, GDP growth has been no guarantee of rising living standards, especially among lower-income households.”
Governments are chasing the wrong rainbows - by Andy Haldane
Will be tuning in next week…
on.ft.com/43kZiEr
Governments are chasing the wrong rainbows - by Andy Haldane
Will be tuning in next week…
on.ft.com/43kZiEr
Governments are chasing the wrong rainbows
Opportunity and upward mobility are more important than GDP growth
on.ft.com
May 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
“This century, GDP growth has been no guarantee of rising living standards, especially among lower-income households.”
Governments are chasing the wrong rainbows - by Andy Haldane
Will be tuning in next week…
on.ft.com/43kZiEr
Governments are chasing the wrong rainbows - by Andy Haldane
Will be tuning in next week…
on.ft.com/43kZiEr