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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the passage of aerosol particles when singing; and for what reason are singers exempt from the requirement to wear face coverings introduced on 30 November 2021.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Some activities can increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19, including singing. This has been demonstrated through studies including the NERVTAG and PERFORM studies.

However, in some circumstances, people cannot do their work activity effectively while wearing a face covering. The DCMS ‘Working safely during coronavirus: Events and attractions’ (updated on 22nd December) explains that professional performers (and amateur performers who are part of professional activities) are not required to wear a face covering while they are performing or rehearsing, but should be encouraged to do so if possible.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the (a) Chief Medical Officer and (b) Chief Scientist have made of the risk of singing without a facemask in indoor settings; and whether he has received advice from those persons on singing inside without a facemask.

Answered by Maggie Throup

Neither the Chief Medical Officer nor the Chief Scientific Advisor have made this specific assessment and have not provided any such advice.

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK Music report This is Music 2021, published 19 October; and what steps they intend to take to (1) support the music industry, and (2) compensate those who were ineligible for financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

We have noted the publication of UK Music’s ‘This Is Music’ report with interest, and the Secretary of State’s contribute the foreword to it. We note the significant challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the music sector and recognise that this report proposes a possible path towards recovery. DCMS works closely with UK Music and officials regularly engage with the team there across a number of areas.

Many organisations in the music industry have benefitted from the significant cross-economy and sector-specific support, the government has made available throughout this pandemic, including the generous employment schemes, grants, loans, a reduction in VAT to 5%, business rates relief, and the extension of the moratorium on commercial evictions for business tenants.

The unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, of almost £2 billion, has been the biggest arts funding package in our history. Awards have been made to over 800 music-based organisations, totalling over £200 million, including more than £21 million alone having been awarded to music festivals and £3.36 million to grassroots music venues. 52,000 full time staff and almost 100,000 freelancers were supported until the end of June 2021 as part of the second round of the Fund (as reported by applicants).

The Live Events Reinsurance Scheme was also launched on 22 September, which will continue to support live events across the country - such as music festivals, conferences and business events - which are at risk of being halted or delayed due to an inability to obtain COVID-19 cancellation insurance. The scheme will support the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 by giving events the confidence they need to plan for the future, whilst also ensuring that we deliver value for money for taxpayers.