LONDON Doris Lessing, the Nobel prize-winning author, is among a list of eminent writers who have written to Arts Council England, objecting to the withdrawal of funds from Arcadia Books, which is known for its publication of translated books.

More than 500 literary figures have written of their “dismay and concern” about the council’s decision to reduce the publisher’s public funding by 25 per cent.

The writers said that the impact of the cut was disproportionate to the saving. They added: “Arcadia has made available in English a stream of important books by foreign writers and had its contribution to literature recognised by critics and the judges of important prizes.”

An Arts Council spokesman said: “Arcadia is enjoying increasing success with its commercial titles, an area which we believe does not require public subsidy. The Arts Council remains committed to supporting its work in translation and with black and minority ethnic writers and our proposed reduced funding reflects this.”

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