Business of the House

Wera Hobhouse Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

Local theatres are a very important part of the UK’s creative industries and play a vital role in our local communities. In England, our Arts Everywhere fund will include support for local arts and music venues. As I have already said today, the SNP Government have received a record funding settlement, and it is a shame that assets are being underfunded. Should my hon. Friend seek a debate to highlight this case, I am sure it will be well attended.

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

In Bath we are so lucky to have three independent bookshops: Topping & Company, Persephone Books and Mr B’s. Proposed changes to maximum payment terms risk devastating the independent book industry, forcing it to be much more cautious and less willing to take on debut authors. May we have a debate on the proposed changes, and on how the Government can support the creative industries, of which writers, editors and independent booksellers are very much a part?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising the importance of the independent bookselling industry, and I will ensure that her words are heard by the relevant Minister. We are changing maximum payment terms, giving certainty to companies that they will be paid on time. Our shopkeepers and family-run firms work hard and they deserve the Government’s backing. We are determined to give them that backing, but too often they are held back by late payments.