Culture minister Ed Vaizey has told the House of Commons that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would not be dissolved.

In a debate, on the importance of arts and creative industries, the Labour shadow culture minister Dan Jarvis had said there had been speculation that in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review the DCMS would be abolished, with its constituent parts moved elsewhere.

But Vaizey denied the rumours, stating: “DCMS is here to stay. We have moved buildings, but that is a metaphor for this government. We have better offices and they cost less because, with this government we get more for less."

The Science Museum Group (SMG) had said that it could have been forced to close one of its three museums due to budget cuts , an issue which was raised by several MPs during the debate, but Vaizey responded by stating: "There is absolutely no reason at all for any of the northern science museums to close.

SMG's future is to be looked into in an inquiry by the DCMS in July, with the same committee also looking to carry out an inquiry of the future and funding of national museums.