Call to aid Millennium Centre

PLAID Cymru Shadow Minister for Culture Sian Gwenllian MS has called on the Welsh Government to reveal what support it will offer the arts sector in Wales after the Wales Millennium Centre confirmed it could remain closed until April next year due to the coronavirus pandemic – putting 250 jobs at risk.

Ms Gwenllian said the news facing the Millennium Centre was “deeply concerning” and said the Government should be clear about what support will be on offer to cultural organisations across Wales.

Ms Gwenllian also demanded the Westminster Government be ready to provide “flexibility” through its Job Retention Scheme to those sectors – such as tourism and the arts that are sure to suffer “disproportionately” due to the crisis.

Ms Gwenllian said: “The news about the Millennium Centre is deeply concerning and is reflective of the crisis facing the creative industry in Wales unless Government acts. Welsh Government must tell us specifically what support they will be offering to institutions like the Millennium Centre and to other cultural organisations across Wales.

“Furthermore, the Westminster government must provide flexibility through the Job Retention Scheme to sectors that will suffer due to this crisis – such as tourism and the arts.

“The arts form a crucial pillar of the Welsh economy and they will play a key role in our recovery from Covid-19 – we must seek assurances that Welsh Government is doing all it can to support the sector before it’s too late.”