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 the covid-19 outbreak on the independent science centres sector.

We recognise that these are extremely difficult conditions for visitor attractions such as independent science centres. These organisations educate and entertain visitors of all ages on what science is and the important discoveries over the centuries that have changed all our lives. We continue to engage with stakeholders representing attractions such as science centre stakeholders to assess the situation and to gather intelligence on the financial impact.

Businesses and workers in the science centres sector can access the Government’s comprehensive economic support package. This includes the recently extended Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Bounce Back Loan scheme, VAT payment deferrals for firms and £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses.

I have established a Cultural Renewal taskforce and a specific Visitor Economy working group to prepare guidance to help visitor attractions to reopen safely.