Caroline Dinenage, 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, Caroline asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott 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, Caroline 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 Laura Trott 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.”
