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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of a Government-backed covid-19 cancellation insurance scheme for live events after 19 July 2021.

The Government recognises the important contribution that live events make to the UK’s culture and economy, and the significant challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented. We have engaged closely with the sectors affected and listened to their concerns throughout the pandemic.

As the Secretary of State made clear at the DCMS Select Committee in May, the government is aware of the wider concerns around securing cancellation insurance for live events. The government continues to assess options to provide further support to the sector within the public health context.

This Government has provided significant financial support throughout the pandemic including extending the £1.57 billion package of support for the Culture Recovery Fund with £300 million of additional funding for 21/22. We would encourage businesses in the events sector to review the initiatives in the Government’s support package. Information on the Government’s support for businesses and employees can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support.