Cultural and Charitable Organisations Cost of Living 2023-03-09
2023-03-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Organisations in South Shields are facing financial difficulties due to the cost of living crisis, leading to potential closures and increased reliance on public donations.
What steps she is taking to support (a) cultural and (b) charitable organisations during the cost of living crisis. Cultural organisations across the region are struggling with increased running costs and some may face closure while millions live in poverty. Food banks rely heavily on public donations to meet demand, leaving a gap that should be filled by state assistance.
This is a difficult time for DCMS sectors, including our cultural and charitable organisations, given increased running costs. We remain firmly on their side and have taken action to support such organisations with their bills. My Department continues to engage with these organisations to monitor the impact.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps or funding commitments were not provided, only general support was mentioned.
We Remain Firmly On Their Side
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Charities and food banks are facing financial difficulties due to the government's economic policies, leading to increased reliance on public donations.
Thanks to the Government's economic illiteracy and punitive welfare policies, cultural organisations are facing closure and millions are living in poverty. Cultural community groups and food banks almost entirely rely on donations to stay afloat and meet demand. Is it not an abdication of this Government's duty—and unsustainable—to leave it to charitable donations from the public to fill gaps left by the state?
As someone who spent 16 years working in the charity sector, I would say no. Charities have an amazing role to play within our communities, and we have been right behind them. During the covid pandemic, we provided more than £750 million for charities.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline was not given regarding current government support for charities beyond mentioning past funding during the pandemic.
As Someone Who Spent 16 Years Working In The Charity Sector, I Would Say No.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The BBC has announced a new strategy that includes job cuts and redundancies in its orchestras, which is seen as devastating to the world of choral music.
The cost of living crisis appears to have caused the BBC to announce that some of the finest musicians in the world will lose their jobs. The BBC's new strategy for classical music plans to “deliver savings” by axing the world-famous BBC Singers and making 20% redundancies in all BBC orchestras. These plans have been described as a dark day for choral music and cultural vandalism.
As the hon. Lady will know, of course, the BBC is operationally independent, but my colleagues in the Department regularly meet the BBC, and I am sure they will be happy to raise many of the issues that she has just brought to the House.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was not addressed; instead, the answerer referred to the operational independence of the BBC.
As The Hon. Lady Will Know, Of Course, The Bbc Is Operationally Independent
Response accuracy