Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston

The Department for Transport has advised that Baroness Vere of Norbiton wrote to the noble Lady on 9 July regarding the vaccination programme for seafarers. A copy of this letter is attached. All seafarers are able to access COVID-19 vaccinations, regardless of nationality, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the Department for Transport to provide clarity on the eligibility of seafarers in the United Kingdom for COVID-19 vaccination.

We are also working with the devolved administrations to ensure that operational challenges in vaccinating these groups are mitigated. The United Kingdom does not restrict access to the COVID-19 vaccine for seafarers who are not resident in the UK. Several local partnerships have been established between port authorities, seafarer welfare services and local National Health Service trusts which have successfully vaccinated several thousand seafarers. This has created protocols such as the provision of permanent or mobile vaccination hubs in or close to major ports.

Leaving the EU is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK's position on the world stage. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is working to ensure that our European bilateral relationships have the proportionate levels of investment to deliver our international priorities, harnessing appropriate opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation. The UK already engages in a number of bilateral civil society events with other European governments. For example, the annual UK-Italy Ministerial Pontignano Conference took place in October 2020, providing an opportunity for dialogue, debate and relationship building with participants from a variety of sectors including cultural leaders. We will continue to ensure that such events continue to deliver for the UK and seek further opportunities for cultural exchange.

In 2019-2020 the Government provided £18 million of support to 565 orchestral productions through the Orchestra Tax Relief. While all tax reliefs are kept under review, the Government is not planning changes to the Orchestra Tax Relief at this time.

The Government has provided support to the cultural sector during the pandemic through the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. To date, £409 million in grant funding has been awarded to over 2,000 cultural organisations in England, including orchestras, music venues, galleries, theatres, museums and festivals.

The Government has also extended the temporary reduced VAT rate for hospitality and tourism to 31 March 2021. This will continue to apply to admission to attractions across the UK, including concerts, theatres, exhibitions and similar events.

In 2019-2020 the Government provided £18 million of support to 565 orchestral productions through the Orchestra Tax Relief. While all tax reliefs are kept under review, the Government is not planning changes to the Orchestra Tax Relief at this time.

The Government has provided support to the cultural sector during the pandemic through the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. To date, £409 million in grant funding has been awarded to over 2,000 cultural organisations in England, including orchestras, music venues, galleries, theatres, museums and festivals.

The Government has also extended the temporary reduced VAT rate for hospitality and tourism to 31 March 2021. This will continue to apply to admission to attractions across the UK, including concerts, theatres, exhibitions and similar events.