England’s Arts Council is proposing a new program of interest-free loans to encourage aspiring art collectors to invest in works which they might otherwise consider beyond their price range. “The scheme, called Own Art, works through a network of 250 participating galleries, all of which have been vetted for quality, so punters cannot spend the loan on doing up the kitchen or going on a cruise. All that buyers have to do is possess a bank account which can handle direct debit, have proof of identity and address, and be over 18. The loan – between £100 and £2,000 – is paid back in 10 monthly instalments.”