Emily WallinThe events sector is to be surveyed by the Government on the effectiveness of its Live Events Reinsurance Scheme.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is conducting an online survey about the £750m scheme, launched in September 2022, which it promised would provide cover for events cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The scheme has been criticised for its narrow scope – only providing cover for events cancelled due to Government-mandated lockdown or local authority by-law.
The Government is asking for the views of event professionals to assess its success. The online survey can be found here.
The DCMS said in a statement, “In September 2021, the government launched the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme to support live events across the country — such as music festivals, concerts and business events — that are at risk of being halted or delayed due to an inability to obtain Covid-19 cancellation insurance. Cover through the scheme is available to purchase alongside standard commercial events insurance for an additional premium.
“We committed to a review point for the scheme in spring 2022, as part of our ongoing efforts to make sure the Scheme achieves its objectives to support live events following the impacts of Covid-19.
“We are gathering views on the scheme from the live events sector to help inform this review.
“The purpose of this survey is to gather views from organisations and individuals in the live events sector on key issues relating to the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme.”
DCMS and administrators of the scheme have so far been unable to provide details of a single successful payout.
Labour’s shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell MP told Exhibition News that the scheme was “totally inadequate” adding that it “failed to provide the safeguards the live events and exhibitions sector needs to operate alongside Covid-19.”
Questions in the survey ask about the impact on businesses turnovers during the pandemic and what other insurance they hold. However it does not specifically ask whether they took out policies under the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme or whether they deem it successful or valuable.
As part of the survey, eventsprofs are also being asked whether they plan to take out communicable diseases cover after the scheme ends on September 30, and what impact that may have on holding future events.
Complete the survey here.