Member

If the Government believe that additional security measures are needed, then they should step in and provide financial support to business to implement them. In this amendment, I am therefore seeking measures that will ensure that venue holders are not placed under financial strain. I further believe that it is worth pointing out that some 116 theatres are owned and operated by local councils in England. Many of these are run on a shoestring as non-profit businesses or are managed by community trusts, and almost all of them would fall within the threshold of this Bill. With many councils in England facing huge financial challenges in their budget, cultural provision such as budgets for municipal theatres are being cut significantly up and down the country. With this in mind, I urge the Secretary of State to establish a financial support scheme to assist such venues, be it through grants, low-interest loans or tax relief, as many of these theatres and premises, much loved by their communities, could face closure. They are the cultural foundation of our country and Government should step in to prevent such a travesty from happening and this amendment seeks to achieve just that. I therefore commend both amendments to the Committee.