Debates between Nigel Huddleston and Andy Slaughter during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Tue 22nd Jun 2021

Events Research Programme

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Andy Slaughter
Tuesday 22nd June 2021

(3 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andy Slaughter Portrait Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab) [V]
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My constituency is home to internationally-known theatre and music venues and exhibition centres. They tell me they are still waiting for promised Government funds, an insurance scheme that gives them certainty on reopening and, specifically, the publication of the events research programme report. One industry source told me today that failure to publish

“is both creating confusion and eroding confidence across the events industry.”

What should I tell them, their customers and their staff?

Nigel Huddleston Portrait Nigel Huddleston
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As I mentioned, we are considering the indemnity issues. The sector has had support through, for example, the culture recovery fund, which is a £2 billion fund, as well as other support from Government. The whole purpose of the events research programme was and is to enable the sectors to open as soon as possible.

It is important to stress as well that under step 3 of the road map, indoor events of up to 1,000 people and outdoor events of up to 4,000 people or, in some cases, 10,000 people, can happen. We have not gone back—that is still possible under step 3 of the road map. Many events are taking place right across the country precisely because of that.