Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Grassroots Music Venues: Government Support

Thursday 26 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government providing support to grassroots music venues through the Supporting Grassroots Live Music fund extended until March 31, 2023
  • During the pandemic, venues received support from the cultural recovery fund and energy bills support scheme
  • Concerns raised about the impact of the energy bills support scheme on grassroots music venues

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from concerns about the sustainability of grassroots music venues which are crucial to the UK's music sector. These venues have faced challenges during the pandemic and continue to struggle with energy costs.

Question

What support is the Government providing to grassroots music venues? The sector is on a knife edge, sustained by a 0.2% profit margin. Will the Minister, if he does not have good news for me today, take up the matter of excluding these venues from future energy bill support with the Treasury as an urgent issue?

Answer from Paul Scully

The Government are committed to supporting our grassroots music venues through various funds and schemes, including the Supporting Grassroots Live Music fund extended until March 31, 2023. During the pandemic, venues received support from the cultural recovery fund and energy bills support scheme; the government will continue this support through the energy bills discount scheme until spring 2024.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exclusion of grassroots music venues from future energy bill support starting April 1st was not directly addressed with a commitment to change or an explanation of why it is excluded.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Culture, Media & Sport Energy
Context

The question arises from concerns about the sustainability of grassroots music venues which are crucial to the UK's music sector. These venues have faced challenges during the pandemic and continue to struggle with energy costs.

Question

I draw the House's attention to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. With Independent Venue Week coming up next week, I pay particular tribute to Big Jeff, the best ambassador for grassroots music venues anyone could ever want. The sector is on a knife edge, sustained by a 0.2% profit margin. As I understand it—the Minister may want to correct me—it is not included in the support for energy bills from April 1st. Will the Minister take that up with the Treasury as a matter of urgency?

Answer from Paul Scully

We are committed to supporting our grassroots music venues. We reflect on the hon. Lady's concerns about the energy bills support scheme and its impact on these venues, but we believe that the new scheme strikes a balance in supporting businesses while managing taxpayers' exposure to volatile markets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exclusion of grassroots music venues from future energy bill support starting April 1st was not directly addressed with a commitment or explanation.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)