Performing Arts: Job Support Scheme

Lord Taylor of Goss Moor Excerpts

Tuesday 29th September 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

The Government absolutely believe that the cultural sector is a vital and important part of the UK economy. That is why we have put in a specific scheme to support that sector with £1.57 billion. If I understand it rightly, the initiative announced by the Welsh Government is a reflection of that money that has gone in.

[Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (LD) [V]]

Will the Minister accept that the issue here is not that nightclubs, theatres, concert halls and other live venues are not viable; it is that they cannot operate under the Government’s rules? Surely the Chancellor needs to put in place a different support scheme for those businesses, and the freelancers and self-employed who work within them, that are prevented from working and operating not because they are long-term unviable but because of the Government’s rules.

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

I believe that the Government understand and accept that. That is why we have put record funding into the cultural sector through the recovery fund.