Asked by: Lord Cormack (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that (1) museums, (2) galleries, (3) historic buildings, and (4) cathedrals and churches, are compensated for any lost revenue in the period of enforced closure (a) since the closure was introduced, and (b) if the closure continues into the next four months. [T]
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
My department is in constant contact with sector bodies, museums and heritage sites directly to assess impacts and are working to develop support for the sector in response to COVID-19. We are also in close contact with counterparts in the devolved nations, as culture is a devolved matter. Significant support has been delivered at speed by DCMS arm’s-length bodies. Arts Council England have launched a £160m Emergency Funding Package, the National Lottery Heritage Fund a £50m Heritage Emergency Fund, and Historic England launched a £2m Emergency Fund. All of these are delivering much-needed support across the sector.
We are also pleased that there has already been support pledged for the sector including through the Job Retention Scheme and the availability of grants of up to £25,000 to leisure businesses, including museums operating from smaller premises through the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund. The Government continues to monitor the impact of these and other measures.
Asked by: Lord Cormack (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the second world war in August, following the cancellation of events to mark that anniversary of VE Day on 8 May.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The UK Government continues to plan a programme to mark the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August, commemorating the Victory Over Japan and the end of the Second World War.
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, HM Government will continue to follow the advice issued by Public Health England closely and the VJ Day 75 programme will take account of the guidance in place at the time.
Information on what is planned to commemorate VE Day can be find online: https://ve-vjday75.gov.uk/
Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation on Friday 8 May. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will read an extract from King George VI’s diary from 1945. Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary will take part in video calls with Second World War veterans. Churchill’s famous victory speech will be broadcast and a national two minute silence will take place as the public are asked to mark the occasion at home.