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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Barran on 11 March (HL Deb, cols 1799–1800), on what dates the working group on creative and cultural touring has met since 5 February.

The Government recognises the world-leading position of the UK creative and cultural sectors and the rich breadth of talent across the UK.

We understand the concerns about the new arrangements for touring following the end of the transition period, and we are committed to supporting the sectors as they get to grips with the changes to systems and processes. We are now working urgently across government and in collaboration with the music and wider creative industries, including through the DCMS-led working group, to help address these issues.

The first working group meeting was held on 5 February, and was chaired by the Minister of State for Digital and Culture. Further working group meetings took place on 15 February and 5 March. DCMS is looking at a range of options to ensure we can provide individuals and businesses with access to the right support, at the right time, so that touring in Europe can resume with ease as soon as it is safe to do so