Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the financial effect of covid-19 on self-employed musicians.

The Government recognises the significant challenge the current pandemic poses to many individuals and freelancers working in the music industry.

The Government has carried out an assessment of access to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) for individuals’ working in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Sector:

• For SEISS round 1: 76,000 individuals given an average of £2,700

• For SEISS round 2: 72,000 individuals given an average of £2,400

• For SEISS round 3: 66,000 individuals given £2,700

We are working very hard to help freelancers in those sectors access support, including through the Self Employment Income Support Scheme and funding from Arts Council England.

The Government has and will continue to look for ways to improve the Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant and existing support.