Arts Council England has announced a large increase in arts funding. “Overall, the Arts Council – funded by government money and lottery receipts – will distribute £410 million by 2005/6, compared with £335 million in 2003/4. A host of new groups, which do not usually get funding from the Arts Council, will get £123 million. Individual artists will benefit from a £25 million fund for the next three years – double what is available to them now.”