“Details obtained through a freedom of information request reveal that, despite the economic downturn, the Government Art Collection has spent £556,911 on acquisitions in the year 2008 to 2009. This is a 34 per cent increase from the previous year and more than double what was spent on artworks in 2006 to 2007. … The GAC is home to approximately 13,600 works of art, from the 16th century to the present day, and … supplies art for official buildings in Britain and around the world.”