A DEBATE on creative industries in the House of Commons yesterday sparked questions regarding the future of Edinburgh’s festivals.
MP for Edinburgh West, Christine Jardine, raised concerns about small venues amid changes to National Insurance taxes.
Edinburgh’s festivals were referred to as an “ecosystem” of all creative sectors whilst being a “heartland of small venues”.
Minister of state for culture, media and sport, Chris Bryant, cited the potential for a voluntary levy on gig and arena tickets in order to help small businesses stay afloat.
In the general debate on creative industries yesterday, Jardine stated: “The ecosystem of all of [creative] sectors, there is no better example in this country, perhaps in the world, than the Edinburgh International Festivals, which brings them all together.
“But it is also a heartland of small venues, so can [the minister] tell us what the government is going to do to help those small venues who have been suffering for five or six years now, to cope with the national insurance changes, because they are employers and are being hit by them.”
Chris Bryant emphasised the importance of acknowledging the multiple festivals that take place in Edinburgh during the summer, which are not limited to the Edinburgh International Festival.
He stated: “That’s an ecosystem which has managed to grow and grow and grow, and that’s precisely one of the things we want to do.
“One of the other things about the Edinburgh International Festivals is of course there is a cluster.
“The previous government rightly identified that where you can create a cluster, you stand a greater chance of building it and enabling greater growth.
On small venues, he went on to say: “As you may know, we backed the chair of the select committee for culture, media and sport in the previous parliament, and her call for a voluntary levy on gig and arena tickets which would provide money for small venues.
“I’m pushing as hard as I can for the industry to adopt that on a voluntary basis but we are aware if that does not happen, we will make it happen on a statutory basis.
“I hope that we will be able to move forward on this very soon.
“Small venues also thought that there would be a cliff edge on 70% relief on business rates at the end of March, which we have said will be reduced to 40% and there will be a renewal and change on business rates in the next few years.
“In all these ways we’re trying to help those small music venues.”
Christine Jardine posted to social media yesterday following the debate, saying: “I am pleased the Government have recognised how important small venues are for Edinburgh’s Festivals.
“I will continue to push for action to support grassroots arts and music.”
