MP hails "fantastic news" for Crawley arts

Henry Smith, Member of Parliament for Crawley, has welcomed the government’s record-breaking package of support for the UK arts and culture sector
The Hawth in CrawleyThe Hawth in Crawley
The Hawth in Crawley

£1.57 billion was announced by the government at the weekend to protect Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions, including £900 million in grants plus an additional £270 million in repayable loans

Mr Smith said thousands of organisations across a range of sectors, including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema, will benefit from access to emergency grants and loans.

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“The £1.57 billion package represents the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture and will provide a lifeline to vital cultural and heritage organisations across the country hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring they stay afloat and protecting multi-billion pound industries that are famous around the world for the future.

“This builds on the unprecedented financial assistance the government has already provided to the UK’s cultural sector through the pandemic, with loans, business rates relief and furlough support. More than 350,000 people in the recreation and leisure sector have been furloughed since the pandemic began.”

Mr Smith added: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Crawley and will provide a vital lifeline to cultural and arts institutions across West Sussex.

“This will not only secure jobs, but mean iconic venues can weather the storm created by coronavirus and come back stronger, and continue to be there for local people and future generations to enjoy.”

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The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast-growing creative industries.

“I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations. Today we are announcing a huge support package of immediate funding to tackle the funding crisis they face. I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.”

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