Arts and Cultural Sector: Employers’ National Insurance
Debate between Earl of Clancarty and Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood(3 weeks, 1 day ago)
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Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood (Lab)
I thank the noble Baroness for that excellent question. The Irish led the way in piloting the idea of an income for artists and there is now a pilot in Scotland. This is something I wish to follow with attention. It is obviously a proposal that is the source of active and enthusiastic lobbying from the arts sector, so I will be paying close attention to how it goes in Scotland.
The Earl of Clancarty (CB)
My Lords, looking further at costs, the Minister will be aware of the now serious crisis in domestic touring of performing arts companies as a result of greatly increased costs, with a catastrophic 64% decline in touring drama since 2019, according to the Arts Council. Will the department impress on the Treasury the importance of expanding tax relief, including theatre tax relief, to make those unavoidable costs of touring fully eligible? Domestic touring is so important for the health of the country.
Baroness Mackenzie of Sherwood (Lab)
As some noble Lords will know, I started my career in touring theatre and worked for many years at a theatre that received touring theatre, so I absolutely understand the issue and its seriousness. It is a subject of lobbying from the sector and of discussion with the Government, and I am unable to comment further on any issue that might or might not appear in the Budget.