Arts, Culture and Heritage: Support Package

We welcome this much-needed injection of cash for the arts and culture sector, but I have to ask: what took the Government so long? We have already seen venues going under and mounting job losses, and warnings from the Opposition and across the sector were ignored for weeks on end. Urgently getting the money to where it is needed now is critical, but according to the Department’s own briefing, funds will not arrive until the autumn.

The hon. Member talks about this money as if it is the first thing the Department has made available to our sectors, but of course there has already been £215 million of emergency funding for cultural and heritage arm’s length bodies. We are working closely with Public Health England and have scientific investigations going on within theatres looking at the various threats. We will also be starting pilots to look at the other aspects that affect this.

This can only be a first step—a vital first step. Does the Minister agree that the vital cultural sectors need a specific, Treasury-backed recovery plan, with a means found to enable large numbers of people to watch live entertainment in an enclosed space while feeling relatively safe? Will the Secretary of State commit to coming before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee immediately after the summer recess, to discuss how all this can be achieved?

Welcomed innovative digital ideas for live performances during lockdown and the government's efforts to restart cultural activities. Emphasised working with Public Health England on safe reopening strategies, including socially distanced indoor and outdoor events. Stressed the importance of supporting freelancers through grants and loans.

Acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by creative communities due to prolonged uncertainty and lack of support from the UK Government. Welcomed the £1.57 billion package but expressed concern for freelancers not covered under the self-employment income support scheme, questioning how funding will reach those who have slipped through the net.

Welcomed the recovery package and asked if there is any support for churches that serve as tourist attractions but are financially strained due to lockdown, suggesting a stand-alone scheme could be beneficial.

Supported the Government's decision to assist the performing arts sector for survival. Highlighted the economic importance of creative industries as growth sectors needing venues to reopen safely.

Emphasised the need for grassroots live music venues to receive fair share of funds and requested a grant application process tailored to their unique needs. Urged the Minister to address gaps in self-employed support schemes.

Highlighted the importance of freelancers as the lifeblood of the arts sector, urging for funding that supports all those affected by lockdown measures.

Welcomed support for Manchester's cultural institutions but questioned if there was adequate support for freelancers and small production companies within the ecosystem, urging further support through an extension of the furlough scheme.

Welcomes the announcement but calls for urgent clarity on eligibility criteria for smaller organisations such as Bromley Little Theatre. Raises concerns about scientific guidance in comparison to European countries and asks for a review addressing this issue.

Appeals for shorter questions to allow more Members to speak within the time limit.

Emphasises efforts to gather scientific evidence and data, mentions meeting with Andrew Lloyd Webber to look at mitigation measures. Announces a capital fund of more than £100 million for cultural infrastructure projects.

Welcomes the support but highlights the plight of technical production companies like Adlib, asking what help is available until proper reopening can occur.

Acknowledges the funding for arts sectors in his constituency and asks about support for cancelled or postponed building projects.

Asks how smaller venues like Stockport Plaza can benefit from the announced funds and requests regional breakdown information.

Supports the £59 million in Barnett consequentials for Wales, calls on Labour’s First Minister to support the sector.

Queries eligibility of festivals and suggests reallocating Festival 2022 funds to help festivals this year.

Asks for assurance that smaller venues in her constituency will benefit from the package.

Questions the proportionate share of £97 million allocated to Scotland and calls for revision or relaxation of capital controls.

Asks about support for cultural institutions like the Black Country Living Museum.

Calls for assurance that funds will go to people who make the arts, not just capital spending.

Asks about support for cultural projects like the Harper Street renovation project in Middleport Pottery.

Welcomed the announcement of support for cultural organisations, specifically inquiring about how smaller organisations such as Playbox Theatre and Motionhouse dance theatre can benefit from this money.

Emphasised the importance of supporting both large world-class venues and smaller grass-roots organisations, highlighting the ecosystem that arts and culture encourage. Additionally, she highlighted the support provided through various schemes like furloughing.

Asked how the Government can help to get more people, particularly young people, involved in culture and sport.

Questioned whether organisations like Adlib would receive support until the industry gets back up and running. He expressed concern that many such companies could go out of business by then.

Called for specific dates to be announced for reopening arts centres, suggesting this would unleash investment supporting the whole ecosystem of the arts.

Asked why the Secretary of State would not support workers in the culture sector who have been abandoned and excluded from support schemes throughout the crisis, also inquiring about when Welsh Government will receive funding.

Asked what steps the Minister is taking to ensure that a fair share of the £1.57 billion investment reaches local theatres, such as the Wolverhampton Grand theatre in his constituency.

Inquired about specific support for those who have fallen through the gaps of the financial safety net. She also mentioned local businesses that are losing jobs due to the pandemic.

Welcomed the package of support but questioned if it would principally benefit venues rather than production companies and producers, suggesting a Government stake in new productions could help ensure full venues.

Asked for similar bail-out packages to support travelling funfairs, noting they face delays in reopening like cultural organisations but do not qualify for the funding announced.

Called for more detail on how freelancers will benefit from enhanced opportunities mentioned by the Minister. He emphasised the need to support those who work in theatres rather than the venues themselves.

Inquired about support for freelance musicians, technicians, producers and associated professionals within the live music industry who have fallen through the cracks of government schemes.

Asked for more detail on how freelancers will benefit from the £1.5 billion scheme, specifically when they can expect to see money in their bank accounts and expressed concern about freelance workers looking for jobs outside of the sector.

Watermans arts centre in Brentford has received £87,000 emergency funding but it is only a third of the requested amount. The speaker questions how venues will survive beyond September with less than a third capacity.

Responded to Ruth Cadbury, noting that £1.5 billion funding package has been announced for cultural and arts venues. She promises more details on how it will work in the coming days.

Asked Caroline Dinenage to consider a higher number of individual smaller grants so that local museums like Amberley Museum, Arundel Museum, and Steyning Museum can benefit from the funding.

Welcomed the £57 million Barnett consequentials in Scotland. Proposed that cultural institutions south of the border could be encouraged to perform in northern Scotland for entertainment.

Asked when Sheringham little theatre and Wells Maltings can have a route map and plan so they can reopen their doors.

Noted that despite the announcement, there is still uncertainty in the arts industry, especially for freelancers. She asked if the Government will create a plan to protect companies and artists financially from localised lockdowns or positive covid cases.

Asked what support is available urgently for those providing technical services to performance venues who are worried about making staff redundant within the month due to lack of funding.

Welcomed the package but asked for reassurance regarding plans for the 200th anniversary of railways and specifically for Locomotion No. 1 staying in Darlington.

Inquired about support available from the rescue package for companies like All Safe and Sound and Handheld Audio Ltd that have lost 98% of their income since March lockdown and will face financial collapse when furlough ends.

Asked Caroline Dinenage to provide more information on how the funds would be distributed, particularly for theatres in dire need like Princes Theatre, West Cliff Theatre, and Frinton Summer Theatre.

Inquired about support available to freelance performers whose livelihoods are at risk due to live music venues closing because of the pandemic.

Emphasised the urgency in distributing funds as many venues are on the brink and asked for inclusion of supply chain companies in the support scheme.

Noted that despite welcoming the new funding, there is concern about access to funds by smaller institutions who cannot apply for at least £1 million.

Apologised for any disrespectful tone and acknowledged the shortcomings of the self-employed income support scheme. Noted that Netflix, UK Theatre, the Society of London Theatre, and Sam Mendes have donated £500,000 to establish a theatre artists fund.

Asked for support for agricultural shows in rural communities. Inquired about specific assistance for the Royal Welsh show.

Acknowledged the importance of agricultural shows and noted that they fall under DEFRA's jurisdiction but mentioned efforts by DCMS to support rural cultural establishments.

Called for further support for freelancers in orchestras, including reforms to orchestra tax relief and gift aid. Emphasised the importance of supporting freelance musicians.

Responded that she has met with orchestras weekly to address challenges they face due to the pandemic. Suggested looking at reforms for support of freelance musicians and orchestra tax relief.

Asked about the impact of £120 million capital investment on arts bodies continuing with paused projects.

Explained that the £120 million capital investment aims to restart stalled cultural and creative projects, ensuring employment for workers and protecting venues for future generations.