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Written question asked by George Howarth (Labour) on Thursday, 18 March 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 March 2021. It was answered by Caroline Dinenage (Conservative) on Wednesday, 24 March 2021 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Technology: Entertainments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the scale of the contribution to the UK economy from the technical support industry to the entertainment industry.

Answer

The Government recognises the importance of the technical support and production services industry to the entertainment sector, and its contribution to the UK economy. We appreciate that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to this industry.

The Government undertakes a monthly assessment of the GVA of the cultural sector as a whole. It is estimated that GVA in the cultural sector shrank by 28% in March to December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. In comparison, DCMS sectors (excluding Civil Society) shrank by 18% and the UK economy as a whole shrank by 11%. These monthly GVA estimates are based on incomplete information and should only be used to illustrate general trends, rather than be taken as definitive measures.

The Government recognises that there are many individuals and freelancers working across these industries. This is why the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) were extended to September 2021 at Budget. Also announced at Budget were changes to the SEISS scheme, meaning that 600,000 more people are now able to claim for the first time.

Through the CJRS, the Government is currently supporting 315,000 employees in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sectors.

The Department has remained in close contact with the technical support industry and production services sector throughout the pandemic and continues to hold regular meetings with a wide range of companies and representative organisations to understand the challenges they are facing and provide Government support targeted to their needs.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
171516
Session
2019-21
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Entertainments Economic growth Technology
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk