We know that politicians and funders are facing tough choices as they try to balance their books. In recent years, many have seen culture as an easy target, and chosen to cut it disproportionately. The research we have commissioned shows that far from being a minority concern, this is something that constituents really care about: most people – almost two thirds – want local authority culture funding to triple.

Because investment levels are so small – less than half a penny in every pound – cutting them doesn’t balance the books. Instead, it will make independent cultural organisations unsustainable and makes it harder for most people to experience good, affordable art and culture. Access to it should not be a postcode lottery, or depend on people being rich. Locally and nationally, we have a lot to lose if culture continues to be cut at the levels we are seeing.