The British government announced on Sunday that it would provide £ 1.57 billion (1.74 billion euros) in aid for the culture sector, the survival of which has been jeopardized by the coronavirus epidemic. "Britain's world-renowned arts, culture and heritage will receive £ 1.57 billion as part of a rescue package to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus," said Sunday in a press release the government. It is "the biggest one-time investment ever made in British culture," he said.
Theaters, museums, galleries, historic palaces will be eligible, as will organizations related to live music, heritage or independent cinema. The vast majority of this aid (£ 1.15 billion) will go to cultural institutions in England, in the form of grants (880 million) and loans (270 million). Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will receive £ 33, 97 and £ 59 million respectively. "I had said that I would not give up on the cultural sector and this massive investment shows our commitment," said Culture Minister Oliver Dowden, who said he understood the "serious challenges" that the 700,000 employees in the sector currently face face.
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This sector has suffered particularly, deprived of all income since the introduction of containment on March 23. On Saturday, museums and cinemas were allowed to reopen. But due to physical distancing measures, the future of concerts and festivals is much more uncertain. For several days, the calls for help followed one another. Thursday, some 1,500 big names in British music had sent an open letter to the Minister of Culture, urging him to act.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the announcement on Sunday, saying "iconic musicals" , "fascinating exhibits" and "underground concerts" in local pubs are "the beating heart" of the UK . The "unprecedented intervention" was "warmly welcomed" by Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd, who he said gave the live music industry "the time it needed to" reopen "safely" . It is "a vital step for the recovery " of the sector, said the director general of the Royal Opera, Alex Beard.