I am welcoming the announcement that Birmingham hasbeen shortlisted to 
become the UK's first City of Culture in 2013. Birmingham beat10 other cities to 
get into the final four and the results will be announced in the Summer. The other 
finalists are Derry/Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield.

The cities were shortlisted by an independent judging panel, whose recommendations
were accepted by Secretary of State Ben Bradshaw.

This is fantastic news for our city and I'm really pleased to seethat Birmingham has 
been shortlisted. This is exactly the opportunity that we need to show the world how 
great Birmingham is.

Margaret Hodge said:

"Huge congratulations to the four cities in the final running for the 2013 UK City
of Culture.  It's a testament to their hard work - and dedication to culture - that
they've come so far in what has proven to be a very tough competition.  I'm really
pleased that we attracted such a strong and varied field.  It just goes to show the
richness of culture across the UK.

"I was very impressed with all fourteen bids and, for those not shortlisted, I would
say take heart from what you've achieved and continue to work on creating a cultural
offer which can be enjoyed by all and which will help to make your cities even more
attractive places in which to live and work".

Phil Redmond, Chair of the Independent Advisory Panel, said:

"The Panel had both a stimulating but difficult task in suggesting the short-list as
all 14 bidders had realised impact of becoming the UK's first City of Culture and
what that would bring, not least the media exposure that would accompany it. This in
itself was a great endorsement for the project as a whole.

"In deciding on the four cities recommended - Derry/Londonderry, Birmingham,
Norwich, and Sheffield - the panel was influenced by the expected step change each
city was asked to envisage, if they gained the title and subsequent media spotlight.

"It was a hard choice but also heartening that all bidders had recognised the power
of culture to bring people together; to work collectively within existing resources
for a common goal and bring into being networks that may not have existed before.

"For those not on the shortlist that is still a powerful and valuable achievement,
with a reminder that 2013 is only the first time the title will be awarded. 2017 is
not that far away!"