(Northampton South) (Con): I recently had a Zoom call with Deborah
Annetts, the CEO of the Incorporated Society of
Musicians, and Jordan and Steve from a local Northampton
band called The Keepers, and they highlighted the problems that
self-employed musicians currently face. Will my
right hon. Friend support struggling musicianssuch
as The Keepers by considering either a freelance support scheme or
a box office top-up to help to make socially distanced gigs
feasible?
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (): I thank my hon. Friend for his question. With a name
like Jesse Norman—my hon. Friend will know that there was an
American opera singer, now alas dead, of the same name—and as
someone who has been involved in arts organisations and, indeed,
as a pretty incompetent musician myself, I am extremely aware of
the concern that he raises, and rightly so. He will know that the
Government have announced a £1.57 billion culture recovery fund,
of which some £330 million has been awarded to date to nearly
2,000 cultural organisations. That funding is designed to help
performances to restart, to protect jobs and to create
opportunities for freelancers across the country. It is also
worth mentioning that we have done a considerable amount of work
on the film and TV production restart scheme, much of which will
have the same effect when it is properly up and running.
(Glasgow North West) (SNP): It is noticeable how
many Members have raised today the issue of the self-employed and
freelancers, such as musicians actors and
dancers, who have had little or no support throughout the
pandemic. Rather than suggest that they abandon years of
dedication and training, will the Chancellor now consider
initiatives such as a universal basic income to protect our
valuable arts sector? [907826]
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (): We recognise the concern for the valuable arts
sector that the hon. Lady describes, which is why we have put
£1.57 billion towards it. As I have said, £330 million of that
has been released, and a further release will be made in the next
few weeks. That is because we believe in that sector and support
those people. Of course, other schemes are already in place—I
have highlighted the support for independent production and
films, for example—from which those affected can derive benefit.
