, Member of Parliament for
Gosport and Chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Select
Committee, today told Treasury Ministers that cost pressures were
causing grassroots music venues to close.
Speaking at Treasury Oral Questions, she asked the Chief
Secretary to the Treasury, MP, whether the Minister had
considered a VAT cut for grassroots music venues, highlighting
that, currently, across the country two venues a week close their
doors for good.
The Culture, Media, and Sport Committee are currently holding a
short inquiry into Grassroots Music Venues which opened in
January after the UK lost a tenth of the sector the year before.
During the inquiry the Committee took evidence from music venues
large and small from across the country, facilitated by a large
roundtable hosted in Manchester by the Night & Day Café. Oral
evidence was taken at an evidence session in Westminster in March
which included industry bodies, performers, and large music
venues such as Wembley Arena.
Speaking in the House of Commons, she said:
“It isn't solely households who are facing increased cost
pressures - businesses across our communities are as well,
particularly small music venues that are shutting at the rate of
two a week.
“So ahead of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's
inquiry into this what thought has the Minister given to a VAT
cut for the grassroots music venues across our constituencies?”
In response, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said:
“I know this is something that the honorable Lady cares very
deeply about.
“I know she has a report coming out in a few weeks and I look
forward to reading that then.”
