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I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this issue to the House. She will know, from an earlier confession, that I am indeed a fan of musical theatre. Amateur and youth productions truly are a great vehicle to build confidence, harness creativity and build communities, so I congratulate all those...
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this issue to the House. She will know, from an earlier confession, that I am indeed a fan of musical theatre. Amateur and youth productions truly are a great vehicle to build confidence, harness creativity and build communities, so I congratulate all those...
I add my birthday wishes to the Leader of the House.
I recently had the absolute pleasure of attending not one but two wonderful theatre performances. The first was a dress rehearsal by StagedRight theatre group and the second was “Aladdin” by the Rocket theatre group. These wonderful theatre groups give...
I add my birthday wishes to the Leader of the House.
I recently had the absolute pleasure of attending not one but two wonderful theatre performances. The first was a dress rehearsal by StagedRight theatre group and the second was “Aladdin” by the Rocket theatre group. These wonderful theatre groups give...
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, (a) what support her Department is providing for grassroots theatre and community production groups; and (b) what assessment she has made of the potential impact of participation in grassroots theatre and community productions on the mental health and wellbeing...
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, (a) what support her Department is providing for grassroots theatre and community production groups; and (b) what assessment she has made of the potential impact of participation in grassroots theatre and community productions on the mental health and wellbeing...
The Government recognises the vital role that the performing arts, including grassroots and community theatre, play in the lives of people and communities across the country, which the government supports primarily through funding via Arts Council England (ACE).
Through the National Portfolio Investment Programme, between 2024/25 and 2026/27, ACE will provide almost £100 million to theatre per year. This supports the work of a number of grassroots organisations, including Unanima, a theatre company based in Mansfield that receives £232,000 per year to help provide creative opportunities for learning disabled and autistic people. Similarly, ACE invests almost £45 million each year in theatre via National Lottery Project Grants, an open-access fund supporting projects at all levels. In February 2026, Julie Bagshaw received a £35,400 project grant for development costs for a community theatre project in Mansfield.
Community and grassroots theatre organisations also benefit from government support through Theatre Tax Relief; and in January, the Secretary of State announced the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, to support venues that provide creative and welcoming spaces for communities to come together and celebrate what makes their area special.
In 2024, DCMS research showed that active arts engagement has a positive impact on health and wellbeing. Mental health benefits of attending cultural venues, including the theatre, was shown to have saved the NHS £260 million per year for adults over 50, delivering a total benefit of over £3 billion. Engagement in the arts was similarly shown to have had significant benefits on young people’s mental health, delivering a total benefit of around £800 million for young adults (aged 18-29) each year.
That this House congratulates Pat Knifton Hough, of Nantwich, Cheshire, on her remarkable achievement of being awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 for services to theatre and to the community; notes her significant contribution to the continued growth and future of the Nantwich Players Theatre; further notes that she is the oldest recipient on the 2026 Honours List; recognises her exceptional dedication and excellence in amateur dramatics; acknowledges the pride that her achievement brings to the community of Crewe and Nantwich; further recognises the inspiration she provides to others, particularly young people and those aspiring to similar success; commends her hard work, perseverance and commitment; and wishes her every continued success in the future.
That this House congratulates Pat Knifton Hough, of Nantwich, Cheshire, on her remarkable achievement of being awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 for services to theatre and to the community; notes her significant contribution to the continued growth and future of the Nantwich Players...
That this House notes with sadness the decision of the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Bryan Carnes MBE, to stand down from his role at the end of 2026, concluding almost 25 years of dedicated service to the theatre and to the community who live, learn and work in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across North Staffordshire; recognises the pivotal role Bryan Carnes MBE has played in guiding the New Vic Theatre through significant milestones, including a major capital redevelopment in 2020, which refurbished the theatre’s auditorium for the first time since its opening in 1986; further recognises that Bryan Carnes MBE was appointed as a Trustee in May 2001 before being appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees in September 2015; further notes that 2026 marks the theatre’s 40th anniversary; acknowledges that through the leadership of Bryan Carnes MBE and the Board of Trustees, the New Vic Theatre has strengthened its position as a vital cultural institution in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and across Staffordshire, expanding its artistic reach and deepening its engagement with audiences and communities; and extends its best thanks to Bryan Carnes MBE, a resident in Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, for his service to the community for almost a quarter of a century.
That this House notes with sadness the decision of the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Bryan Carnes MBE, to stand down from his role at the end of 2026, concluding almost 25 years of dedicated service to the theatre and to the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support is provided, including through the British Council, to UK theatre companies touring Shakespeare productions internationally; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those productions on the UK’s creative exports.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support is provided, including through the British Council, to UK theatre companies touring Shakespeare productions internationally; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those productions on the UK’s creative exports.
The government provides support for international touring theatre, including Shakespeare productions, primarily through strategic funding delivered by Arts Council England (ACE).
ACE's core investment strengthens theatre resilience across England via the National Portfolio Investment Programme. In 2025/26, ACE provided over £112 million to nearly 200 theatres, while total funding to theatre organisations across all programmes reached £276.9 million, helping organisations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company remain globally competitive.
Recent sector analysis shows that theatre contributes around £2.39 billion in GVA and supports over 200,000 jobs, with international activity forming a key part of this footprint. Evidence from Arts Council England’s State of Touring demonstrates that while domestic touring is often loss-making, international touring can generate surplus income, supported by higher fees and guarantees overseas, which helps subsidise UK-based work.
Additional touring support includes the Incentivising Touring programme, which offers repayable grants, as well as National Lottery Project Grants for international partnerships.
My Department also seeks to address practical barriers for touring professionals through ongoing engagement with international partners.
Tomorrow I will be enjoying Kelso’s musical theatre performance of “Beauty and the Beast” at Tait Hall; on Saturday, I will be at Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society’s performance for its 76th year at Lauder public hall. From the Leader of the House’s marvellous performances here in the House of Commons,...
Tomorrow I will be enjoying Kelso’s musical theatre performance of “Beauty and the Beast” at Tait Hall; on Saturday, I will be at Lauder Amateur Dramatic Society’s performance for its 76th year at Lauder public hall. From the Leader of the House’s marvellous performances here in the House of Commons,...
It is always good to hear from the ironman on the other side of the House, not least about musical theatre. He is right that I am a fan of musical theatre, so I will certainly join him in wishing all the participants in the Kelso musical theatre and Lauder...
It is always good to hear from the ironman on the other side of the House, not least about musical theatre. He is right that I am a fan of musical theatre, so I will certainly join him in wishing all the participants in the Kelso musical theatre and Lauder...
That this House congratulates the students of Stand-Out Theatre School in Falkirk on their half-time performance at Falkirk FC’s recent match against Kilmarnock at Falkirk Stadium; recognises the leadership of founder Shannon Winton in creating an inclusive space for young people to develop through the performing arts; applauds the enthusiasm of the 45 students who performed; and wishes them every success as they travel to New York City next month to proudly represent the district in the Tartan Day celebrations.
That this House congratulates the students of Stand-Out Theatre School in Falkirk on their half-time performance at Falkirk FC’s recent match against Kilmarnock at Falkirk Stadium; recognises the leadership of founder Shannon Winton in creating an inclusive space for young people to develop through the performing arts; applauds the enthusiasm...
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the amount of Theatre Tax Relief for Corporation Tax provided to Scottish Companies over the last two tax years.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the amount of Theatre Tax Relief for Corporation Tax provided to Scottish Companies over the last two tax years.
Data on the amount of Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) paid to Scottish companies is held by HMRC on the basis of the company’s registered office address. The amount of TTR paid in relation to the last two complete tax years is as follows.
2021-22 | £2m |
2022-23 | £12m |
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential of business rates revaluation and the new multiplier bands from April 2026 on (a) hotels, (b) Sports & Leisure Centres, (c) theatres, (d) live music venues and (e) other sectors.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential of business rates revaluation and the new multiplier bands from April 2026 on (a) hotels, (b) Sports & Leisure Centres, (c) theatres, (d) live music venues and (e) other sectors.
The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base
At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest
The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support regional theatres with operational costs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support regional theatres with operational costs.
The Government recognises the vital role that the arts, including regional theatre, play for people and communities in all parts of this country, and delivers funding to theatres primarily through Arts Council England (ACE).
ACE’s National Portfolio Organisations, including theatres, can use some of their annual funding to cover operational costs like staffing as long as those costs are justified in the budget and align with ACE’s funding agreement. In addition, ACE’s National Lottery Project Grants (NLPG) also allows some contribution to overheads, but has to be tied to the particular project that the funding has been awarded for. Nearly £14.5 million was awarded to theatres outside the capital through the NLPG programme in 2024/25.
That this House welcomes the award of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to Open Door Drama in Shetland, recognising outstanding contribution to community life; notes that Open Door Drama has provided theatre opportunities to all age-groups for over 30 years; gives thanks for the dedicated group of volunteers who run the organisation; and believes that voluntary arts organisations make a vital contribution to rural and island life in Scotland, by bringing people together, developing skills, and strengthening community identity.
That this House welcomes the award of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to Open Door Drama in Shetland, recognising outstanding contribution to community life; notes that Open Door Drama has provided theatre opportunities to all age-groups for over 30 years; gives thanks for the dedicated group of volunteers who...
I congratulate the Royal & Derngate theatre on being named the UK’s most welcoming theatre. Local theatres are an important part of the UK’s creative industry and play a vital role in our local communities. I thank everyone involved with the theatre concerned.
I congratulate the Royal & Derngate theatre on being named the UK’s most welcoming theatre. Local theatres are an important part of the UK’s creative industry and play a vital role in our local communities. I thank everyone involved with the theatre concerned.
The Royal & Derngate in Northampton has been named the UK’s most welcoming theatre. Will the Leader of the House join me in commending Jo Gordon, the chief executive; Jesse Jones, our artistic director; and all the team at the Royal & Derngate?
The Royal & Derngate in Northampton has been named the UK’s most welcoming theatre. Will the Leader of the House join me in commending Jo Gordon, the chief executive; Jesse Jones, our artistic director; and all the team at the Royal & Derngate?
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support amateur theatre in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support amateur theatre in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.
The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE). Through their main funding programme, the 2023-2027 National Portfolio Investment Programme, ACE is providing over £100 million in grants per year to around 195 theatres across the country. Across all their funding programmes, including lottery schemes, for the financial year 2024-25, ACE awarded around £300 million to theatres/theatre based organisations.
While the Arts Council does not have a funding classification for ‘amateur’ theatre specifically, in 2024 they supported the Spot On Festival in Poulton-le-Fylde with over £50k of funding. Spot On works to bring professional performing arts to village halls, libraries, pubs and open spaces across Lancashire. As a combined arts festival, they worked with 30 professional performing arts shows and 8 local groups and provided a number of outreach activities as part of the festival, including drama workshops. Details of all Arts Council Funding in Fylde and Lancashire can be found on their website here: https://culture.localinsight.org/#/map
Amateur Theatre groups across Lancashire and Fylde are able to apply to Arts Council England’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, which provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.
What steps she is taking to support children’s access to theatre.
What steps she is taking to support children’s access to theatre.
Arts and culture were erased from both our classrooms and our communities for 14 years, and we are wasting no time in fixing that. I am really pleased that in February we were able to announce the £270 million arts everywhere fund, which will help a whole generation of young people to access theatre and the arts that they deserve, as part of their richer, larger lives.
Arts and culture were erased from both our classrooms and our communities for 14 years, and we are wasting no time in fixing that. I am really pleased that in February we were able to announce the £270 million arts everywhere fund, which will help a whole generation of young people to access theatre and the arts that they deserve, as part of their richer, larger lives.
Arts and culture were erased from both our classrooms and our communities for 14 years, and we are wasting no time in fixing that. I am really pleased that in February we were able to announce the £270 million arts everywhere fund, which will help a whole generation of young people to access theatre and the arts that they deserve, as part of their richer, larger lives.
What steps she is taking to support children’s access to theatre.
I recently visited Keir Hardie primary school in Canning Town, which has been involved in a scheme run by Disney that ended up with 42 of the children performing in “The Jungle Book” in the west end. The children are now absolutely enthused by the idea of performance and theatre, and the teachers tell me that their concentration is better, their confidence is better and they are showing benefits in their academic work. Does the Secretary of State agree that as well as the benefits of access to theatre, there are clearly academic benefits too? We need to see more opportunities like this, particularly in constituencies like mine, where circumstances often mean that children do not get access to this kind of thing.
I recently visited Keir Hardie primary school in Canning Town, which has been involved in a scheme run by Disney that ended up with 42 of the children performing in “The Jungle Book” in the west end. The children are now absolutely enthused by the idea of performance and theatre, and the teachers tell me that their concentration is better, their confidence is better and they are showing benefits in their academic work. Does the Secretary of State agree that as well as the benefits of access to theatre, there are clearly academic benefits too? We need to see more opportunities like this, particularly in constituencies like mine, where circumstances often mean that children do not get access to this kind of thing.
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and throw the Government’s full weight behind the work he is doing to support this area? I have seen it for myself at Shakespeare North in Knowsley, where young people are developing communication and oracy skills that they would not otherwise have had, through the amazing work that those institutions do. That is why this Government are determined to turn around the appalling legacy that we inherited from the last Government.
We will shortly publish the interim report of our national youth strategy. I was appalled to find that only one in five young people in the last year has been able to access the arts in this country. We are determined that will change.
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and throw the Government’s full weight behind the work he is doing to support this area? I have seen it for myself at Shakespeare North in Knowsley, where young people are developing communication and oracy skills that they would not otherwise have had, through the amazing work that those institutions do. That is why this Government are determined to turn around the appalling legacy that we inherited from the last Government.
We will shortly publish the interim report of our national youth strategy. I was appalled to find that only one in five young people in the last year has been able to access the arts in this country. We are determined that will change.
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and throw the Government’s full weight behind the work he is doing to support this area? I have seen it for myself at Shakespeare North in Knowsley, where young people are developing communication and oracy skills that they would not otherwise have had, through the amazing work that those institutions do. That is why this Government are determined to turn around the appalling legacy that we inherited from the last Government.
We will shortly publish the interim report of our national youth strategy. I was appalled to find that only one in five young people in the last year has been able to access the arts in this country. We are determined that will change.
I recently visited Keir Hardie primary school in Canning Town, which has been involved in a scheme run by Disney that ended up with 42 of the children performing in “The Jungle Book” in the west end. The children are now absolutely enthused by the idea of performance and theatre, and the teachers tell me that their concentration is better, their confidence is better and they are showing benefits in their academic work. Does the Secretary of State agree that as well as the benefits of access to theatre, there are clearly academic benefits too? We need to see more opportunities like this, particularly in constituencies like mine, where circumstances often mean that children do not get access to this kind of thing.