• £1.57 billion announced by the Government to protect Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions
• Includes £900 million in grants plus additional £270 million in repayable loans
• Unprecedented package widely hailed by the arts and creative industries

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the Government’s announcement that thousands of organisations across a range of sectors, including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema will benefit from access to emergency grants and loans.

The £1.57 billion package represents the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture and will provide a lifeline to vital cultural and heritage organisations across the country hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring they stay afloat and protecting multi-billion pound industries that are famous around the world for the future.

This builds on the unprecedented financial assistance the Government has already provided to the UK’s cultural sector through the pandemic, with loans, business rates relief and furlough support. More than 350,000 people in the recreation and leisure sector have been furloughed since the pandemic began.

Henry said;

“Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Crawley and will provide a vital lifeline to cultural and arts institutions across West Sussex.

“This will not only secure jobs, but mean iconic venues can weather the storm created by coronavirus and come back stronger, and continue to be there for local people and future generations to enjoy.”

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, commented;

“From iconic theatre and musicals, mesmerising exhibitions at our world-class galleries to gigs performed in local basement venues, the UK’s cultural industry is the beating heart of this country.

“This money will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat and support their staff whilst their doors remain closed and curtains remain down”

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Oliver Dowden, said;

“Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast-growing creative industries.

“I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations. Today we are announcing a huge support package of immediate funding to tackle the funding crisis they face. I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, commented;

“Our world-renowned galleries, museums, heritage sites, music venues and independent cinemas are not only critical to keeping our economy thriving, employing more than 700,000 people, they’re the lifeblood of British culture.

“That’s why we’re giving them the vital cash they need to safeguard their survival, helping to protect jobs and ensuring that they can continue to provide the sights and sounds that Britain is famous for.”