A rescue package for British culture

Today, the government has announced a world-leading £1.57 billion package of emergency grants and loans to protect Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions – helping to ensure they weather the impact of coronavirus.

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 - but coronavirus has posed a huge challenge.   The government has already provided unprecedented financial assistance to the UK’s cultural sector through the pandemic, with loans, business rates relief and furlough support, and the money we are announcing today will provide a lifeline to ensure the future of these multibillion-pound, iconic industries is secure.   This is the largest ever investment in UK culture and will safeguard the sector for years to come, ensuring arts groups and venues across the country can stay afloat and support their staff as the economy cautiously reopens again.