Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine has called for more support for the events sector in a Commons speech this afternoon.
Speaking in a debate on Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spending, granted by the Backbench Business Committee, Steve called for industry specific support in order to ensure its survival past this year. He said the business economy had been hit very hard by the pandemic.
And specifically on festivals, he said they “generate £1.75billion, support some 85,000 jobs. The catastrophic impact of Covid can’t be underestimated on the sector. According to the most recent survey by the Association of Independent Festivals, at least 50% of the workforce are facing redundancy.”
He also put in an impassioned plea for help for key businesses right here in Winchester, including the Theatre Royal, which could be facing closure. He said: “ I hope… that the wonderful Theatre Royal, in Winchester, which has done so much to help itself, will have some help from Government to continue its great work. That will be a nice October surprise.”
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