Business rates – urgent action needed for museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas

Trade union Prospect, has responded to a proposal by Labour to extend business rates relief for six months to save over 1,800 theatres, museums, galleries and cinemas.

Prospect represents thousands of workers in museums and galleries, and as part of its Bectu sector in theatres and cinemas too.

Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said:

“If we want to have a cultural sector left at the end of this pandemic, then urgent action is required to support our theatres, galleries, cinemas and museums until they can safely reopen.

“Extending business rates relief would be a good first step to reduce fixed costs at a time when these venues are not allowed to open and bring in income, but support has to go beyond buildings and include the workforce who make our cultural life so unique.

“To save our cultural life the Chancellor needs to support creative freelancers by closing the gaps in his support schemes, and provide security to venues by introducing a government-backed insurance so they have to confidence to prepare to reopen when the time is right.”