Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide support to ballet and opera touring.
Answered by Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the profound economic and social value of opera and ballet touring. Domestically, it drives regional growth and spreads excellence across the UK, while internationally, it strengthens the global competitiveness and soft power of the UK’s creative exports. There are a number of measures that support touring work generally, which can help opera and dance.
For example, Arts Council England's (ACE) Lottery-funded Incentivising Touring scheme uses repayable grants to reduce financial risks for mid to large-scale regional dance and theatre tours and has supported dance work to tour.
Meanwhile the opera and ballet sectors are also able to take advantage of government support through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). At the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government confirmed that from April 2025, Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) on production costs would be set at the generous rate of 45 per cent for touring productions.
The Government and cultural bodies are working to support more sustainable touring across the UK and internationally, building on existing collaboration between ACE and the Devolved Governments. We will continue to use the Culture and Creative Industries Inter-Ministerial Group as a forum for UK Government and Devolved Government Ministers to discuss joint areas of interest.
We are also constructively engaging with the European Commission to address the challenges that touring artists and their support staff face, while respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides. This is mutually beneficial - it will help our artists to contribute to Europe’s rich cultural landscape and support shared growth. We will also work with the EU and Member States to promote wider cultural exchange to further the UK-EU strategic partnership.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to reduce the minimum theatre tax relief performance threshold for touring ballet and opera performances from 14 to 7 to reflect the challenges of touring large-scale work.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government continues to provide generous support to the theatre sector through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). TTR is designed to support expenditure incurred in the production of a theatrical performance. Since 1 April 2025, qualifying touring productions have been eligible for relief at a rate of 45 per cent, compared with 40 per cent for non-touring productions.
Changes to existing tax reliefs must be assessed against their effectiveness, targeting, complexity and value for money, and considered in the context of the wider public finances. Tax policy decisions are taken by the Chancellor at fiscal events.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with devolved government to jointly support opportunities for cross-border touring for ballet and opera.
Answered by Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the profound economic and social value of opera and ballet touring. Domestically, it drives regional growth and spreads excellence across the UK, while internationally, it strengthens the global competitiveness and soft power of the UK’s creative exports. There are a number of measures that support touring work generally, which can help opera and dance.
For example, Arts Council England's (ACE) Lottery-funded Incentivising Touring scheme uses repayable grants to reduce financial risks for mid to large-scale regional dance and theatre tours and has supported dance work to tour.
Meanwhile the opera and ballet sectors are also able to take advantage of government support through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). At the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government confirmed that from April 2025, Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) on production costs would be set at the generous rate of 45 per cent for touring productions.
The Government and cultural bodies are working to support more sustainable touring across the UK and internationally, building on existing collaboration between ACE and the Devolved Governments. We will continue to use the Culture and Creative Industries Inter-Ministerial Group as a forum for UK Government and Devolved Government Ministers to discuss joint areas of interest.
We are also constructively engaging with the European Commission to address the challenges that touring artists and their support staff face, while respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides. This is mutually beneficial - it will help our artists to contribute to Europe’s rich cultural landscape and support shared growth. We will also work with the EU and Member States to promote wider cultural exchange to further the UK-EU strategic partnership.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to make touring-specific operating costs eligible for theatre tax relief.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government continues to provide generous support to the theatre sector through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). TTR is designed to support expenditure incurred in the production of a theatrical performance. Since 1 April 2025, qualifying touring productions have been eligible for relief at a rate of 45 per cent, compared with 40 per cent for non-touring productions.
Changes to existing tax reliefs must be assessed against their effectiveness, targeting, complexity and value for money, and considered in the context of the wider public finances. Tax policy decisions are taken by the Chancellor at fiscal events.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 14 July (HL1474), how they plan to ensure that necessary healthcare provision in education settings, including postural management, is assessed, commissioned and delivered under appropriate clinical governance by the relevant NHS bodies; how they will distinguish between healthcare provision and provision that educates or trains a child and is therefore treated as special educational provision under section 21(5) of the Children and Families Act 2014; and what assessment they have made of whether SEND training for school staff will transfer NHS responsibilities to education settings.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Section 21 of the Children and Families Act 2014 is clear that healthcare provision is only deemed to be special educational provision if it educates or trains a child or young person. Such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, as set out in paragraph 9.74 of the ‘Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years’.
Schools are not responsible for clinical healthcare tasks. Healthcare tasks can be delegated to staff in schools and other education settings where the responsible healthcare professional considers delegation safe and appropriate. While training may be necessary as part of delegation arrangements, it does not of itself transfer responsibility. The department is working with the Department for Health and Social care to produce guidance on clinical healthcare in schools.
Local authorities and integrated care boards must work together to put joint commissioning arrangements in place to ensure sufficient services and provision are available to meet the needs of children and young people in their area, both those with education, health and care plans and those without. This would include children and young people with cerebral palsy.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government how necessary health provision will be identified, commissioned and secured for children and young people with cerebral palsy, and others with significant long-term health needs, who do not have an education, health and care plan, particularly in the context of reforms intended to reduce reliance on such plans.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Section 21 of the Children and Families Act 2014 is clear that healthcare provision is only deemed to be special educational provision if it educates or trains a child or young person. Such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, as set out in paragraph 9.74 of the ‘Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years’.
Schools are not responsible for clinical healthcare tasks. Healthcare tasks can be delegated to staff in schools and other education settings where the responsible healthcare professional considers delegation safe and appropriate. While training may be necessary as part of delegation arrangements, it does not of itself transfer responsibility. The department is working with the Department for Health and Social care to produce guidance on clinical healthcare in schools.
Local authorities and integrated care boards must work together to put joint commissioning arrangements in place to ensure sufficient services and provision are available to meet the needs of children and young people in their area, both those with education, health and care plans and those without. This would include children and young people with cerebral palsy.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 14 July (HL1473), what mechanisms are in place to ensure that (1) the expert panel is publicly accountable, and (2) the wider community can submit feedback on the standards and specialist provision packages being developed.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The independent expert panel has been appointed to oversee the development of the National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages. The panel will draw on evidence from academics, education leaders and practitioners, the Education Endowment Foundation, health and social care professionals, and UKRI. They will promote high-quality, evidence-based practice, to ensure accountability and alignment across the system.
The panel will also engage with stakeholders from the wider community, including children, young people, families, practitioners, local authorities and representative organisations to make sure their recommendations are informed by a wide range of views and lived experience. A parent engagement group to support the panel's work is being established.
The panel will publish their recommendations on draft Specialist Provision Packages for the department and the Department of Health and Social Care to decide on. The departments will be accountable for decision-making on the Specialist Provision Packages.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the social and economic value generated by dance participation, including potential savings to health and social care services.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises that participation in culture and the arts, including dance, generates substantial social and economic value. Dance is a vital part of the cultural ecology, contributing to improved physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection, which collectively help to alleviate pressures on health and social care services.
Government commissioned research by Frontier Economics, published in November 2024 estimates that regular adult cultural participation provides benefits of £992 per person and £18.6 billion annually in societal benefits. One of the models relating to extra-curricular activities for children (which includes dance) estimates society-wide benefits totalling £230m per year. Participatory arts support prevention, reduce health service demand, and improve productivity and quality of life.
Additionally, ‘The Social Value of Movement and Dance’ report estimates that dance and movement participation generates £3.5 billion in annual social value in the UK. By improving physical health, mental wellbeing and social connectedness, this saves health services approximately £430 million annually by reducing service demand. The report highlights wider economic benefits, including increased productivity, reduced loneliness and stronger community cohesion.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure children and young people, regardless of background, can access dance as part of a broad and enriching education that supports wellbeing as well as attainment.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Dance forms part of the PE curriculum, which is a compulsory foundation subject at all four key stages, and GCSE dance or equivalent technical award at key stage 4.
In response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government committed to reviewing how dance is reflected within the PE curriculum to provide greater specificity and support more consistent, high-quality teaching. Alongside this, the new National Centre for Arts and Music Education and PE and School Sport Partnerships Network will help schools access high-quality dance opportunities by connecting them with specialist expertise, resources and support. Together, this will strengthen teacher confidence and competence in delivering dance, helping more pupils benefit from high-quality provision.
Asked by: Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to maximise the contribution of dance and the arts to the NHS prevention programme, including through collaboration between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Dance is recognised within the Chief Medical Officer’s Guidelines on Physical Activity as a form of physical activity that can improve health at every stage of the life course. Dance is a broad discipline of creative activity from ballet to street dance, and the evidence of potential health benefits spans informal dancing through structured dance classes to clinical dance therapies.
The Department of Health and Social Care is working with partners including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England, and the National Centre for Creative Health to understand and develop the evidence base and consider the policy implications for creative health to improve health outcomes and support delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan.
One specific example of the evolving collaboration is that in Spring 2026, NHS South West worked with Let’s Dance and Parkinson’s UK to raise awareness of the evidence of impact of dance on both physical and mental health symptoms of Parkinson’s disease through targeted amplification of the national Let’s Dance campaign to patients and clinicians. This work was amplified nationally, and further work is being take forward to explore further scaling for the 2027 Let’s Dance campaign.