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Southside MP urges Chancellor to support arts and creative sector

Stewart McDonald MP has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling on him to provide financial support for the arts and creative sector.

Whilst welcoming the financial measures the Government has already made available, the SNP MP criticised the UK Government for telling artists to retrain in new sectors, and warned that the arts and creative industries, suppliers, festivals and individuals risk being lost if further support is not provided.

The MP for Glasgow South has therefore called on the UK Government to provide financial support for that those who work in the arts and creative sector, and testing capabilities so that audiences can have confidence in attending events.

Stewart McDonald MP said:

"I welcome that some people across the sector have been able to take advantage of financial support packages, however many creative outlets – be it venues, individuals, festivals or industry bodies – remain concerned that they cannot access these schemes or they will not be enough to see them through the coming weeks and months.

"For the UK Government to then suggest that those who work in creative sector need to find new skills is crass and insulting to artists who have trained for years, worked other jobs to support themselves and are so valuable to our culture.

"People across the creative sector are in a worrying situation, and to lose such a fantastic venues, festivals and artists across these isles would be a devastating blow for us all, and that cannot be allowed to happen.

"The Chancellor must provide the support this sector needs and deserves - fast - if we are to protect our world class artists and creative industries."

Read Stewart McDonald MP's letter to the Chancellor here