BRIDGEND MP Jamie Wallis has welcomed news that theatres, art galleries and museums in Wales are to get £59 million from the UK Government.
Jamie said: “Welsh Government is getting this money as part of a £1.57 billion investment by the UK Government into the cultural, heritage and arts organisations of the country. They play a key role here in Wales and I hope that Welsh Government quickly distributes the money to the many organisations that need immediate support to prevent them from going under.
“Most have had no income at all since March and although open air venues like zoos and heritage sites can reopen, many others like concert halls and theatres are still unable to operate.”
Jamie said that many arts and cultural businesses have already benefited from the furlough scheme which has helped them retain their staff and some will also have had business loans and grants.
Wales secretary Simon Hart said that the Welsh Labour Government has said it did not have the firepower to support the arts in Wales.
“So we are giving them £59 million to do so,” he said. “There is no time to lose in getting this money out to the frontline and I will be pushing the Welsh Government to ensure that this happens.”
