Museums, theatres and concert halls handed £410million Budget bailout lifeline to help them stay afloat until Covid restrictions are lifted and they can open their doors once more
- Theatres, museums and live music venues handed £410million lifeline
- Rishi Sunak said arts are a ‘significant driver of economic activity’
- Most arts and cultural events expected to get the green light to reopen in May
Theatres, museums and live music venues have been handed a £410million lifeline to help them stay afloat until they are allowed to reopen.
Rishi Sunak unveiled the move in today’s Budget following talks with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, who last year secured a £1.57billion bailout for the industry.
Most arts and cultural events, including theatres, museums and galleries, are expected to get the green light to reopen in May.
But many may be unable to reopen their doors until Step Four of the roadmap from June 21 when the Government hopes to lift all social distancing restrictions that limit the size of audiences.
Theatres, museums and live music venues will be handed a £410million lifeline to help them stay afloat until they are allowed to reopen. Pictured: The closed Lyceum Theatre in the West End
Rishi Sunak will unveil the move in today’s Budget alongside fresh support for sport and pubs, which have also suffered heavy restrictions during the lockdowns of the last year
Mr Sunak said the support was in recognition of the fact that the arts are a ‘significant driver of economic activity’, employing more than 700,000 people across the UK.
Mr Dowden said: ‘It’s such a relief that we can look ahead now, so this funding is not just about survival but for planning and preparing for the reopening of theatres, galleries and gigs.’
Tate director Maria Balshaw called the announcement a ‘vote of confidence’ in the country’s art organisation.
Mr Sunak also unveiled a £300 million sports recovery package, with cricket expected to receive a ‘significant chunk’.