Oral Answers to Questions

Rosie Duffield Excerpts
Thursday 24th September 2020

(3 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kevin Brennan Portrait Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab)
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What further steps he will take to support people in the creative industries who are unable to return to work as a result of covid-19 restrictions.

Rosie Duffield Portrait Rosie Duffield (Canterbury) (Lab)
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What steps he has taken to support the creative industries during the covid-19 outbreak.

Virendra Sharma Portrait Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)
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What steps he has taken to support the creative industries during the covid-19 outbreak.

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Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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The Government’s world-class support package has included the self-employed income support scheme, and about two thirds of our sector have been covered by that. Then, of course, there are the very generous extensions to universal credit as well. However, we know that it is very distressing for those who have fallen between the gaps. That is why Arts Council England has made an additional £95 million of additional support available for individuals who are affected.

Rosie Duffield Portrait Rosie Duffield
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Equity, the performers’ union, has drawn up a four-pillar plan to save the industry: providing financial support for workers, enabling the safe opening of venues, protecting vital arts infrastructure, and eliminating gaps in representation and pay. I know that the Minister has met Equity, so are the Government prepared to back its plan and save our performing arts?

Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I know that arts and culture is massively important in Canterbury, which she represents. In fact, it has received over £245,000 of emergency funding so far from the Arts Council. We have listened to the sector at every stage of this terrible pandemic. I meet its representatives on an almost weekly basis, from right across entertainment, arts, culture and creative industries. ACE is currently processing over 4,000 applications for more than £880 million of grant funding. We are doing absolutely everything we can to support the sector.