Question reference: S6W-01578
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 19 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact assessments it has carried out regarding the impact of the COVID-19 guidance for the performing arts and venues sector, which was issued on the 10 November 2020, particularly on smaller venues and performers.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the severe impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on performing arts and venues, with the necessary restrictions meaning that many activities have had to be suspended. The effects of these restrictions on the performing arts sector has been considered in the various Business and Regulatory Impact Assessments (BRIA) in relation to the impact of the pandemic. These BRIAs have been informed by engagement with relevant businesses.
The latest BRIA , agreed by Ministers on 24 June, considered the available evidence and presented reasonable views of likely costs, benefits and impacts of the measures set out in the regulations and guidance. It was recognised that the limitations on performing arts venues are part of an overall system to balance suppression of the virus while minimising wider harm to Scotland’s health and wellbeing, as well as minimising the wider social and economic harms associated with the measures.
The Scottish Government has recently provided an additional £25 million to businesses in the culture sector, via a second round of the Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund and the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, to help mitigate the impact of these necessary restrictions.