Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 7 Apr 2020 Closed: 14 Oct 2020 Parliament page
The DCMS Committee has launched an inquiry into the 'Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors'. It will consider both the immediate and long-term impact that Covid-19 and the related social and financial measures are having on the wide range of industries and organisations under the Committee’s remit. The Committee expects … Read more
26 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
5 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 13 events
14 Oct
2020
Report published
23 Jul
2020
Report published
7 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
30 Jun
2020
Oral evidence
23 Jun
2020
Correspondence
23 Jun
2020
Correspondence
9 Jun
2020
Oral evidence
5 Jun
2020
Correspondence
21 May
2020
Correspondence
19 May
2020
Oral evidence
18 May
2020
Correspondence
15 May
2020
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
7 Jul 2020
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Eniola Aluko Huw Edwards · UKactive Paul Cleal OBE
30 Jun 2020
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Ali Donnelly · Sport England Richard Masters · The Premier League Scott Lloyd · Lawn Tennis Association
9 Jun 2020
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Caroline Dinenage Caroline Norbury MBE · Creative Industries Federation David Knott · National Lottery Community Fund Emma Squire · Historic England Horace Trubridge · Musicians’ Union Julian Bird · UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre
19 May 2020
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Bernard Donoghue · Association of Leading Visitor Attractions Hilary McGrady · National Trust Patricia Yates · VisitBritain/VisitEngland Ros Pritchard OBE · British Holiday and Home Park Association Samantha Richardson · National Coastal Tourism Academy
15 May 2020
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Helen Milner OBE · Good Things Foundation Liz Williams MBE · FutureDotNow Nicola Wallace Dean · Starting Point
5 May 2020
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Bill Sweeney · Rugby Football Union Dame Katherine Grainger · UK Sport Rick Parry · English Football League Tim Hollingsworth OBE · Sport England Tom Harrison · England and Wales Cricket Board
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 on DCMS sectors: First Report HC 291 23 Jul 2020 30 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
30 results
1 Conclusion Not Addressed
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The many and varied sectors under the remit of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media...
The many and varied sectors under the remit of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are integral to the UK’s national life and identity, as well as being vital drivers of economic growth and employment. Yet many parts … Read more
Government Response
The government response is a section reference and does not address the substance of the committee's observation.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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2 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
We are concerned that a lack of confidence, and a fear of being in close...
We are concerned that a lack of confidence, and a fear of being in close proximity with people from outside their own household, will affect people’s return to group sports, particularly those that take place indoors (such as indoor exercise … Read more
Government Response
The government refers to Sport England's existing "Join the Movement" campaign for physical activity and notes that Sport England’s new strategy will focus on tackling inequalities and supporting those most affected, implying existing and planned work rather than new commitments for advertisements or a specific DCMS fund.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The cessation of community sport countrywide during lockdown has hit under- represented groups the hardest.
The cessation of community sport countrywide during lockdown has hit under- represented groups the hardest. While we welcome the announcement that some recreational sports teams can now resume play, we are concerned about gyms and leisure centres. These facilities act … Read more
Government Response
The government states that indoor leisure centres reopened by late July and announced a specific income guarantee scheme to reimburse local councils 75 pence in the pound for lost income, including from leisure centres they own and operate, with ongoing conversations for outsourced services.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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4 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
We recognise the importance of ‘horizon-scanning’ work to ensuring people maintain and increase their activity...
We recognise the importance of ‘horizon-scanning’ work to ensuring people maintain and increase their activity levels, which in turn will boost their resilience to the virus. However, smaller organisations are unlikely to have the resources 56 Impact of COVID-19 on … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights the ongoing OpenActive programme, run by Sport England since 2016, which already focuses on data collection to make physical activity opportunities accessible, indicating existing efforts address the recommendation without committing to new resources.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
With no clear messaging from the Government about when spectators can expect to return to...
With no clear messaging from the Government about when spectators can expect to return to sporting events, we support calls from elite sports organisations for the Government to extend its financial assistance for those organisations that are unable to generate … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges faced by sports organisations due to spectator restrictions and lists various existing support schemes and new initiatives like the Job Retention Bonus and Kickstart Scheme. However, it does not commit to extending the specific financial assistance mechanisms like the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or VAT and PAYE deferral period beyond their cut-off dates, as recommended.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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6 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The current football business model is not sustainable.
The current football business model is not sustainable. The Covid-19 crisis has shone a stark light on the financial issues within football, specifically in the leagues below the Premier League. The Premier League is the main income generator of English … Read more
Government Response
The government notes salary caps have been introduced in EFL One and Two and is in discussions for the Championship. It commits to a fan-led review of football governance, while reiterating that financial stability is primarily for the Premier League and EFL to consider.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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7 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
We firmly believe that football must use its response to the Covid-19 crisis to ‘reset’.
We firmly believe that football must use its response to the Covid-19 crisis to ‘reset’. The crisis has shone a light on the culture of unfair pay in football. The decision by some Premier League clubs to furlough non-playing staff … Read more
Government Response
The government notes that salary caps were introduced for English Football Leagues One and Two and discussions are ongoing for the Championship. It committed to a fan-led review of football governance, which will consider the Owners’ and Directors’ Test, but stated that the financial stability of clubs is for the Premier League and English Football League to consider, thereby not fully addressing parachute payments or DCMS-led international engagement on salary caps.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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8 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Football must also become more representative.
Football must also become more representative. The fact that no Premier League club and virtually no English Football League club has a black owner, Chair or chief executive, is a fundamental inequality at the heart of the game. We do … Read more
Government Response
The government announced a joint review of the Code for Sports Governance, which will examine areas including equality, diversity, and inclusion on boards, but did not commit to adding specific BAME targets. The response did not address the recommendation regarding homophobia in football or the pursuit of related legislation.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The lack of visibility of women’s sport this summer risks undoing work to improve funding...
The lack of visibility of women’s sport this summer risks undoing work to improve funding for women’s elite sport. Cancellation of women’s events is likely to reduce the number of women being inspired to take part in sporting activities. In … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the negative impact of the pandemic on women's sport and states its commitment to raising the profile and encouraging commercial investment. It mentions a ministerial meeting with sports bodies and Women in Sport, and a general commitment to working closely with the sector, but does not outline specific plans or policies for future support or to ensure men’s elite sports are not prioritised.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The Department should investigate how the market for recorded music is operating in the era...
The Department should investigate how the market for recorded music is operating in the era of streaming to ensure that music creators are receiving a fair reward.
Government Response
The government fully recognises the importance of the issue and has the Intellectual Property Office supporting an independent research project to investigate how music creators earn money from streaming, with a report due in Summer 2021.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The Covid-19 crisis presents the biggest threat to the UK’s cultural infrastructure, institutions and workforce...
The Covid-19 crisis presents the biggest threat to the UK’s cultural infrastructure, institutions and workforce in a generation. The loss of performing arts institutions, and the vital work they do in communities by spreading the health and education benefits of … Read more
Government Response
The government announced a £1.57 billion support package for cultural and arts institutions, committed to supporting freelancers, allowed indoor performances with social distancing, and is actively exploring technological solutions to enable the safe return of fuller audiences.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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12 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme have been a lifeline...
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme have been a lifeline for all those in the creative industries who have been eligible for them. However, the closure of the schemes in October and the fact too … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected further extensions or changes to the CJRS, stating it would close in October. It announced a new Job Support Scheme and an extension to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme as part of the Winter Economy Plan, but these were not specifically tailored for the creative industries or designed to cover previously excluded self-employed people as recommended.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
We welcome the Government’s commitment to provide £1.57 billion in funding for our cultural and...
We welcome the Government’s commitment to provide £1.57 billion in funding for our cultural and heritage sectors; however, whether it is enough to safeguard the cultural sector will ultimately depend on how long institutions remain closed or subject to social … Read more
Government Response
The government responded by detailing the swift allocation of Culture Recovery Fund money to various sub-sectors, including grassroots music venues and independent cinemas, and stated its commitment to ensure fair distribution that protects smaller organisations and local cultural venues.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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14 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The Government must learn from the shortcomings of previous support schemes, including those for charities...
The Government must learn from the shortcomings of previous support schemes, including those for charities and self-employed people, to ensure this package is tailored to the unique characteristics of the cultural sector and its workers, and reaches them promptly. The … Read more
Government Response
The government published the Culture Recovery Fund criteria and application process in early August and began allocating funds, with significant allocations announced by October 2nd, demonstrating it met the deadlines. It confirmed the fund covers various sub-sectors and aims to protect smaller organisations and venues.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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15 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
To further combat the negative effects of closure, and to stimulate long-term recovery, the Government...
To further combat the negative effects of closure, and to stimulate long-term recovery, the Government should introduce other fiscal measures. We recommend the cut in VAT on ticket sales for theatre and live music be extended beyond January 2021, for … Read more
Government Response
The government extended the temporary VAT cut for tourism and hospitality until March 2021 (shorter than recommended) and stated that other tax reliefs are under review. It highlighted existing reforms to planning regulations, including the 'agent of change' principle and changes to the Use Classes Order, but did not address the recommendation for a system to save ‘Assets of Cultural Value’.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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16 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Lessons must be learnt from Arts Council England’s emergency funding when it comes to distributing...
Lessons must be learnt from Arts Council England’s emergency funding when it comes to distributing the additional Government support. Support cannot be limited to organisations with a track record of public funding. Although recipients must be able to demonstrate they … Read more
Government Response
The government details how Arts Council England has already allocated £50 million to non-National Portfolio organisations and is setting criteria to ensure funding reaches diverse cultural sectors, including specific guidance requiring applicants to demonstrate improvements in diversity of workforce, governance, audiences, and participants.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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17 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Since lockdown began, we and many others in the cultural sector have been warning DCMS...
Since lockdown began, we and many others in the cultural sector have been warning DCMS about the challenges of resuming live performance. The £1.57 billion of support from Government will only tide the cultural sector over for so long and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the importance of clarity for Stage 5 reopening but stated that further reopening depends on the public health context, without providing dates. They are instead convening a steering group to develop an action plan to enable fuller audiences as soon as possible.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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18 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
We are concerned that innovative technology-based solutions are being explored across the theatre, sports and...
We are concerned that innovative technology-based solutions are being explored across the theatre, sports and festivals sectors without full collaboration between them. This is exactly the issue the Cultural Renewal Taskforce was set up to address. The Cultural Renewal Taskforce … Read more
Government Response
The government is actively working with performing arts and sports sectors, developing pilot events and using DCMS coordination to ensure learning is shared between sectors on technological solutions for mass gatherings.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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19 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Government must address the urgent need for the UK’s cultural industries to be covered by...
Government must address the urgent need for the UK’s cultural industries to be covered by adequate insurance. Without it, efforts to resume filming, touring and live performance are doomed to failure. Alongside working with the insurance industry to introduce a … Read more
Government Response
The government announced a temporary £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme to compensate for COVID-19 related delays or abandonment, partially addressing the call for an emergency fund for some cultural industries but not covering all sectors or a long-term reinsurance scheme.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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20 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The issue of quarantine periods is beyond our remit, so we will limit our comments...
The issue of quarantine periods is beyond our remit, so we will limit our comments to saying that the timing and guidance about quarantining have been far from clear. Whilst we understand that there was considerable uncertainty around how the … Read more
Government Response
The government stated that risk assessments for travel arrangements are conducted by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, and officials from DFT and Home Office discuss policies with the tourism industry through working groups and pre-announcement notification lists for key stakeholders. This indicates they are already communicating as requested.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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21 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
International tourism to the UK had halved by April 2020 and has continued to decline.
International tourism to the UK had halved by April 2020 and has continued to decline. Visitor attractions, including museums and galleries, are being hit hard as a result. Not only are these organisations facing an end to the Coronavirus Job … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the risk of museum insolvencies and the potential loss of collections, stating it is 'looking at legislative, and non-legislative, options' to prevent their dispersal. This indicates consideration of the issue but does not commit to introducing the specific temporary legislative change recommended.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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22 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Seasonal workers in the tourism industry are falling between the cracks in the Coronavirus Job...
Seasonal workers in the tourism industry are falling between the cracks in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We recommend that DCMS works with the tourism sector and HM Treasury to review the measures in place to support tourism businesses and … Read more
Government Response
The government effectively rejected revisiting the terms of the furlough scheme, stating there would be no further extensions or changes and that it would close. While noting flexible furloughing was introduced and a new Job Support Scheme, it did not commit to reviewing existing measures specifically for seasonal workers in tourism as recommended.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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23 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The capacity constraints that arise from the requirements of social distancing make yield management and...
The capacity constraints that arise from the requirements of social distancing make yield management and smoothing out demand more important than ever. The Eat Out to Help Out programme will help shift some demand to trough days. Doubtless attractions, transport … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepted, outlining existing measures like VAT cuts, business rates relief, and domestic campaigns to extend the holiday season. For the Tourism Data Hub, it committed to implementation and is actively seeking funding and support.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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24 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Tourism is an incredibly important force within the UK economy; however, it is more than...
Tourism is an incredibly important force within the UK economy; however, it is more than just the sum of its parts, and it demonstrates vital links to culture, heritage and environmental work. Moreover, tourism is an essential part of many … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the recommendation and launched a £10 million "Enjoy Summer Safely" domestic campaign in July, followed by VisitEngland's "Escape the Everyday" campaign in mid-September to boost autumn and winter tourism.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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25 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, vulnerable people across the country have suffered as a result of...
Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, vulnerable people across the country have suffered as a result of being excluded from digital services and communication. Yet initiatives to tackle the issue, such as the DevicesDotNow campaign, have been limited by a lack of … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines existing social tariffs, industry commitments, and Ofcom initiatives to support vulnerable consumers with connectivity and affordability, but it does not address the recommendation for adequate resource from HM Treasury for DCMS's work on digital exclusion.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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26 Recommendation Not Addressed
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
We commend the work done by cultural and fitness organisations, both before and during the...
We commend the work done by cultural and fitness organisations, both before and during the Covid-19 crisis, to move access to content and facilities online. In the immediate future, DCMS should work with HM Treasury to develop a data voucher … Read more
Government Response
The government commends efforts to provide online content but does not commit to developing a data voucher scheme. Instead, it highlights existing social tariffs, new low-cost broadband services from providers, and past industry agreements on data access, while noting Ofcom is conducting research on affordability issues to inform future interventions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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27 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
While we welcome Ofcom’s focus on affordability of broadband services, and the measures introduced across...
While we welcome Ofcom’s focus on affordability of broadband services, and the measures introduced across the telecoms industry to make websites and mobile data available to those who need it during the Covid-19 outbreak, more needs to be done to … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights existing social tariffs, industry measures during COVID-19, and Ofcom's guidance to support vulnerable consumers. It states Ofcom is undertaking research on affordability and will publish a review to inform future interventions, deferring specific action on data gifting, wi-fi sharing, or tackling the pay-as-you-go poverty premium.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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28 Conclusion Rejected
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The Government has been too slow to respond to the needs of the sectors under...
The Government has been too slow to respond to the needs of the sectors under the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s remit during the Covid-19 outbreak. In its response, DCMS has been hampered by its overall spending power, … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the criticism of being too slow and lacking understanding, highlighting the 'unprecedented level of support' provided through various schemes like the Job Retention Scheme, Culture Recovery Fund, and Emergency Sport Funding. It also states that DCMS has enhanced its data collection during the pandemic to better inform decisions and will continue to engage across all sectors.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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29 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
The Cultural Renewal Taskforce and working groups demonstrate a worrying lack of diversity of representation.
The Cultural Renewal Taskforce and working groups demonstrate a worrying lack of diversity of representation. To ensure that sectors remain accessible to all as they reopen, it is essential that all decisions and proposals by the Cultural Renewal Taskforce and … Read more
Government Response
The government states that its working groups are already diverse and that government departments already undertake analysis of impacts to fulfil the Public Sector Equality Duty, and consider equality impact when making decisions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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30 Recommendation Rejected
Third Report - Impact of COVID-19 …
Forming a ‘Creators Council’ could boost confidence across the sector and ensure its views are...
Forming a ‘Creators Council’ could boost confidence across the sector and ensure its views are represented at a time when many of the creative industries workforce are struggling to stay in the sector. We recommend that DCMS forms a Creators … Read more
Government Response
The government did not commit to forming a Creators Council, stating it already engages with the sector through existing mechanisms like the Creative Industries Council. It would require a clear steer and robust evidence from the sector to demonstrate the need for such an additional group.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 26 classified
Accepted 11
Accepted in Part 5
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 4
Total 26 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
23 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Secretary of State for DCMS, re UK’s cultural institutions and creative industries, 18 May 2020
Parliament page
23 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for DCMS, re UK’s cultural institutions and creative industries, 16 June 2020
Parliament page
5 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Nigel Huddleston MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, re tourism, 3 June 2020
Parliament page
21 May 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to Nigel Huddleston MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage, re tourism, 21 May 2020
Parliament page
18 May 2020 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Oliver Dowden MP, Secretary of State for DCMS, re theatres, 18 May 2020
Parliament page