Ruth Mackenzie appointed UK arts minister at DCMS

Prime Minister Andy Burnham elevated Ruth Mackenzie to the peerage and appointed her parliamentary under-secretary of state for the arts at the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 22 July 2026. Museums Journal reports her brief covers museums, libraries, cultural property and Arts Council England sponsorship. DCMS declined to confirm, saying "ministerial portfolios will be set out in due course." She was previously director of arts at the British Council.