Grassroots Music
Venues: Government Support
(Bristol East) (Lab)
4. What support the Government are providing to grassroots music
venues.(903255)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture,
Media and Sport ()
The Government are committed to supporting our grassroots music
venues, the lifeblood of our world-leading music sector. Arts
Council England has extended its Supporting Grassroots Live Music
fund until 31 March 2023. During the pandemic, venues benefited
from the cultural recovery fund; we are also supporting venues
through the energy bills support scheme and will continue to do
so through the energy bills discount scheme until spring
2024.
I draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of
Members’ Financial Interests. With Independent Venue Week coming
up next week, I pay particular tribute to Big Jeff, the best
ambassador for grassroots music venues anyone could ever want,
who is finally getting back out on the gig circuit after his
terrible accident last year—thank you for indulging me on that,
Mr Speaker. The sector is on a knife edge, sustained by a 0.2%
profit margin. As I understand it —although the Minister may want
to correct me, considering the answer he has just given—it is not
included in the support for energy bills from 1 April. Will the
Minister, if he does not have good news for me today, take that
up with the Treasury as a matter of urgency, because it could be
energy bills that finally push many independent music venues over
the edge?
I thank the hon. Lady and congratulate Big Jeff on all the work
that he is obviously doing in the sector. We will certainly
reflect on that. I think that the new energy scheme strikes the
balance between supporting businesses over the next 12 months and
limiting taxpayers’ exposure to volatile energy markets, and
there is a cap based on estimated volumes. It is really important
that we support music venues, hospitality and wider community
venues to the benefit of our community and the amazing creative
sector.
