Arts, Culture and Heritage: Support Package

Barbara Keeley Excerpts
Tuesday 7th July 2020

(3 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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I love an agricultural show. Sadly, they fall under the remit of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport we are doing everything we can to support rural cultural establishments.

Barbara Keeley Portrait Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab) [V]
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I want to raise the survival of orchestras. The support package for organisations is welcome, but as we keep hearing it will not help thousands of freelancers—the musicians who are not eligible for Government support schemes. Other vital measures are reforms to orchestra tax relief and gift aid. To help orchestras survive and rebuild, will the Government look again at support for freelance musicians, and at the vital reforms to orchestra tax relief and gift aid?

Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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I have met with orchestras almost weekly over the past few weeks as we try to navigate our way through some of the particular challenges that they are experiencing. We will certainly look at some of the hon. Lady’s suggestions.