Skip to main content
Julian Knight

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Parliament
  • About Julian
  • Boundary Changes 2023
  • Contact
Julian Knight

Julian calls for National Audit Office investigation into Unboxed festival

  • Tweet
Monday, 26 September, 2022
  • Local News

Julian Knight MP, Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, has written to the National Audit Office to call for an investigation into the financial management and delivery of the Unboxed festival after published figures showed visitor numbers falling well short of the Government’s target.

An article on Unboxed published by Politics Home reported visitor numbers for the festival of 238,000, compared with a ‘stretch target’ of 66 million. 

Julian's Select Committee previously criticised the delivery of Unboxed in its report in March on major cultural and sporting events. The Report concluded that the £120million investment was ‘an irresponsible use of public money’ given the Government’s own admission that it does not know what it is for. The Committee warned that it is ‘far from clear’ that it will deliver a return on investment.

Julian said “The design and delivery of Unboxed has been an unadulterated shambles from the very start. The paltry numbers attracted to the festival despite such a hefty investment highlight just what an excessive waste of money the whole project has been. It would take optimism beyond belief for it to now reach its target for visitor numbers. At a time of financial pain for so many during the cost of living crisis, there are serious questions that need answering as to how such a vast amount of tax payers’ cash has been allowed to be squandered on something that we warned months ago risked turning in to a fiasco.”

JULIAN'S INTERVIEW WITH BBC NEWS ABOUT UNBOXED CAN BE FOUND ON THIS ARTICLE

Attachments

Attachment Size
Julian Knight MP speaks to BBC News about Unboxed (1.16 MB) 1.16 MB

You may also be interested in

JK in Solihull

Julian Knight MP urges Chancellor to increase the Carer's Allowance

Wednesday, 10 April, 2024
Julian Knight MP said: “As the Member of Parliament for Solihull, and having experienced the role of a carer firsthand, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by those who selflessly devote themselves to the care of their loved ones.

Show only

  • Articles
  • Local News
  • Opinions
  • Speeches in Parliament
  • Westminster News

Julian Knight

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Julian Knight
  • Get involved
  • Parliament & Tours
Promoted by Julian Knight of 631 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 1AR. This website is funded by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) for the purpose of assisting Julian Knight in the performance of his Parliamentary duties.
Copyright 2025 Julian Knight . All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree