MPs are to debate the spending of the Department for Digital, Culture and Media and Sport (DCMS) on support measures for the arts, and particularly theatres and music, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, in the main House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 8th October (2.00pm).

The subject of the general debate has been determined by the Backbench Business Committee and comes in response to an initial petition signed by over 177,000 people.

General debate

This was debated on 25th June and resulted in the government response of a £1.57 billion package of emergency help as well as other measures.

However, even though a general debate allows MPs to address important issues surrounding the issue in question, they do not end in a vote nor can they change the law.

The debate also comes at a time when there has been a huge amount of criticism of Arts Council England following news that theatres, halls and arts venues in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to receive a penny of the £1.57bn emergency arts fund announced by the government in July.

Protest

On Tuesday 6th October 400 musicians led by violinists Nicola Benedetti and Tasmin Little played a short segment of 'Mars', from Holst's 'The Planets' in central London, before holding a two-minute silence, to put pressure on the government to give more support to self-employed artists.

The performers played just 90 seconds of the Holst to reflect the fact that eligible freelancers can only claim a maximum of 20% of their income from the latest government scheme.

A similar protest supported by the Musician's Union took place outside Birmingham's Symphony Hall — the venue for the British Open Championship.

even though a general debate allows MPs to address important issues surrounding the issue in question, they do not end in a vote nor can they change the law4BR

Watch the debate

The Musicians Union represents more than 32,000 performers in the UK and has said that 70% of its members have lost more than three-quarters of their regular work during the lockdown, leaving many in financial hardship.

The debate can be watched live on Thursday: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/0d08c5bb-04d0-4a34-b1d1-8efba0179f9c