Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what comparative analysis they undertook of the risk of COVID-19 infection posed by (1) museums, galleries and heritage buildings, and (2) non-essential retail, hairdressers, and beauty parlours.

The design of the roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country. The scientific evidence shows that opening too early or too quickly risks a further lockdown.

The Chancellor announced in the 2021 Budget an additional £300 million to support theatres, museums and other cultural organisations in England through the Culture Recovery Fund. The Chancellor also set out that we will provide £90 million funding to support our government-sponsored national museums in England due to the financial impact of Covid-19.