“That fusion between culture and technology is something Milton Keynes really has to offer”, says UK Place Minister on City of Culture competition
The Place Minister visited Milton Keynes to celebrate its shortlisting for the UK City of Culture competition and see what the area has to offer.
Labour Member of Parliament for Barnsley South and Place Minister, Stephanie Peacock, visited Milton Keynes on Thursday, October 29, ahead of its next bid for the City of Culture title.
She went on a short tour of the city, exploring cultural sites like MK gallery and Bletchley Park - where she spoke to MK Citizen.
Stephanie Peacock MP said: “When I got off the train, I was met by a driverless, autonomous vehicle, so I think you’ve clearly got a lot going on here in Milton Keynes. You’ve got that forward thinking approach to technology.
“Of course we’re here in Bletchley Park. And nothing alliterates that more clearly than Bletchley Park. I think that combination between creativity, culture and technology, is a real opportunity.”
Milton Keynes is one of the final four cities still in the running for the City of Culture 2029 title, competing against Blackpool, Sheffield and Wrexham.
The winner is likely to unlock exciting new benefits for its communities, such as increased investment, more access to cultural activities, and new job opportunities.
When speaking about what advantages the title could bring to Milton Keynes, Peacock said: “It really helps bring a place to life and helps discover more about what an area has got to offer. But there’s no doubt it also brings economic benefits.
“This government wants to see growth in every postcode. And if you look at collective investment across a number of the previous winners, it’s over £1 billion now, so we hope that it will drive economic investment, jobs and visitors.”
Bradford is the most recent competition winner, after being awarded the title in 2025. Since then, the city has seen big benefits through major government and lottery funding, increased visitor footfall, job creation, and infrastructure upgrades across the district.
“Look at the current city of culture, Bradford. I think eight out of 10 people reported that they now feel more proud of the area. So there’s definitely something about building civic pride and engaging people in their area.”
Each of the four cities shortlisted for the title will receive £125,000 to use in the run up to its bid, with one eventually going on to take the title and a prize fund of £10 million.