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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to introduce (1) new business rate relief, and (2) an indemnity insurance scheme, for the events industry.

We are aware that the events and exhibition industry, as well as other sectors, have been severely impacted by Government measures to control the spread of Covid-19.

My Department regularly engages with events stakeholders to assess the issues being faced and to develop means of offering support, including on the issue of insurance provision. The Government is also in continual dialogue with the insurance sector on its response to COVID-19.

We encourage events businesses and suppliers, including those ineligible for schemes related to business rates relief, to explore the Government’s full support package.

Events businesses can access support such as the various government-backed loans, as well as the extended furlough and self-employed support schemes. We are also giving £1.1bn of discretionary funding to Local Authorities to help businesses through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).

We are continuing to engage with stakeholders, including through the Tourism Industry Council and the Events Industry Senior Leaders Advisory Panel, to monitor the situation facing the events industry.