Events industry and covid-19

That this House notes that the events industry is worth £70 billion annually to the UK comprising conferences, exhibitions, weddings, arts and culture, festivals and shows, music and sporting events; expresses concern that unlike some parts of the hospitality sector little has been done to allow the events industry to reopen following the covid19 pandemic; believes that many of the 700,000 jobs in the industry are imminently at risk, including many independent contractors excluded from Government rescue packages to date and up to 25,000 small businesses; notes that much of the events industry is uniquely placed to incorporate social distancing and track and trace into its operations and has already developed a Safer Events Framework for Action to manage future risk; further notes that most European countries have reopened their events industries and that many postponed events have a lead-in time of six to nine months to reorganise; and therefore calls on the Government to set a timetable for reopening, to support the industry in its recovery period and to work with the Association of Event Organisers and other industry representatives to restore this vital part of the UK economy.