The Government recognises the profound economic and social value of opera and ballet touring. Domestically, it drives regional growth and spreads excellence across the UK, while internationally, it strengthens the global competitiveness and soft power of the UK’s creative exports. There are a number of measures that support touring work generally, which can help opera and dance.

For example, Arts Council England's (ACE) Lottery-funded Incentivising Touring scheme uses repayable grants to reduce financial risks for mid to large-scale regional dance and theatre tours and has supported dance work to tour.

Meanwhile the opera and ballet sectors are also able to take advantage of government support through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). At the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government confirmed that from April 2025, Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) on production costs would be set at the generous rate of 45 per cent for touring productions.

The Government and cultural bodies are working to support more sustainable touring across the UK and internationally, building on existing collaboration between ACE and the Devolved Governments. We will continue to use the Culture and Creative Industries Inter-Ministerial Group as a forum for UK Government and Devolved Government Ministers to discuss joint areas of interest.

We are also constructively engaging with the European Commission to address the challenges that touring artists and their support staff face, while respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides. This is mutually beneficial - it will help our artists to contribute to Europe’s rich cultural landscape and support shared growth. We will also work with the EU and Member States to promote wider cultural exchange to further the UK-EU strategic partnership.

The Government recognises the profound economic and social value of opera and ballet touring. Domestically, it drives regional growth and spreads excellence across the UK, while internationally, it strengthens the global competitiveness and soft power of the UK’s creative exports. There are a number of measures that support touring work generally, which can help opera and dance.

For example, Arts Council England's (ACE) Lottery-funded Incentivising Touring scheme uses repayable grants to reduce financial risks for mid to large-scale regional dance and theatre tours and has supported dance work to tour.

Meanwhile the opera and ballet sectors are also able to take advantage of government support through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). At the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government confirmed that from April 2025, Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) on production costs would be set at the generous rate of 45 per cent for touring productions.

The Government and cultural bodies are working to support more sustainable touring across the UK and internationally, building on existing collaboration between ACE and the Devolved Governments. We will continue to use the Culture and Creative Industries Inter-Ministerial Group as a forum for UK Government and Devolved Government Ministers to discuss joint areas of interest.

We are also constructively engaging with the European Commission to address the challenges that touring artists and their support staff face, while respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides. This is mutually beneficial - it will help our artists to contribute to Europe’s rich cultural landscape and support shared growth. We will also work with the EU and Member States to promote wider cultural exchange to further the UK-EU strategic partnership.

The Government continues to provide generous support to the theatre sector through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). TTR is designed to support expenditure incurred in the production of a theatrical performance. Since 1 April 2025, qualifying touring productions have been eligible for relief at a rate of 45 per cent, compared with 40 per cent for non-touring productions.

Changes to existing tax reliefs must be assessed against their effectiveness, targeting, complexity and value for money, and considered in the context of the wider public finances. Tax policy decisions are taken by the Chancellor at fiscal events.

I congratulate Welsh National Opera on its 80th anniversary and pay tribute to its longstanding contribution to opera and the arts.

Culture in Wales is a devolved matter and responsibility for cultural policy in Wales sits with the Welsh Government. Welsh National Opera currently receives £4,267,620 per annum from Arts Council England, reflecting the 5% uplift applied to all National Portfolio Organisations from April 2026, reflecting the National Opera’s contribution across the UK.

The UK Government and Welsh Government work together on a range of issues of importance to the people of Wales. The Wales Office will continue to champion Wales across the UK Government, including supporting opportunities for Wales's world-renowned cultural organisations to thrive and succeed.

The Government remains committed in its support for opera, with Arts Council England (ACE) providing over £30 million per annum to opera organisations through its National Portfolio programme. This includes funding for Welsh National Opera’s activity in England.

The government does not currently intend to establish a formal protocol with the Welsh Government for funding opera. Nevertheless, appropriate opportunities to discuss shared matters, including support for opera, will continue. Arts Council England (ACE) makes funding decisions independently to safeguard the arms-length principle and engages with Arts Council Wales as required, particularly for organisations like Welsh National Opera (WNO).

In 2024, ACE published the Let’s Create: Opera and Music Theatre Analysis which was prompted by debate over funding changes. The key aims of the study were to understand how the opera sector operates, identify issues in production and distribution, and inform future investment decisions.

The tables in the attached PDF set out Arts Council England grants which support a) opera and b) brass bands for the years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025. Please note that the distinction between Primary and Non-Primary Subclassifiers is important. It clarifies the difference between organisations primarily focused on opera or brass bands, and those for whom the disciplines form only part of their wider work.