Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Warburton and Nadine Dorries

Thursday 16th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[David Warburton (Somerton and Frome) (Con)]

6. What steps her Department is taking to help the live events sector to return and recover from the covid-19 outbreak.

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Ms Nadine Dorries)]

In July, we removed all restrictions, enabling audiences to return to live events. In August, the Government announced a live events reinsurance scheme worth £750 million, which will instil confidence and support events previously unable to obtain covid-19 cancellation insurance. DCMS has continued to support the events sector throughout the pandemic, including through the £2 billion culture recovery fund.

[David Warburton]

I warmly welcome the new Secretary of State. The live music sector has had an enormously challenging 18 months. Although I strongly welcome Government interventions such as the culture recovery fund and the live events reinsurance scheme, VAT on tickets for live events is set to double by the end of this month. As we all know, live music is not only essential to our economy, but plays a vital role in bringing us together after so many months of lockdown. As live events return, will the Government consider a permanent extension of VAT relief on music tickets to aid the sector’s recovery and to ensure that the show can go on?