Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Paragraph: 36
The success of the vaccine rollout and the target date announced during our inquiry under...
Conclusion
The success of the vaccine rollout and the target date announced during our inquiry under the Government’s roadmap for lifting lockdown gave hope to many that festivals will be able to take place this summer. However, the lifting of all restrictions on live events remains heavily contingent on the Events Research Programme. Despite initial positive data from some settings, we are not confident the pilots will deliver the evidence needed in time to lift all restrictions on live events from 21 June. By the Minister’s own admission, festivals are unique settings and yet they were initially overlooked in the first tranche of pilots. We strongly welcome the decision, following our questioning of the Minister, to conduct a festival-type pilot in early May; however a one-day event for 5,000 people does not capture the full range of UK festivals and further pilots may therefore be needed.
Paragraph Reference:
36
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government agrees with the Committee that in order to meet emissions targets, we should support festivals on their pledges to reduce emissions. The Minister for Digital and Culture made clear when giving evidence to the Select Committee that she believed it “is very important that local authorities make sure that they include strict environmental measures within their licensing framework”. This is a proposal that the DCMS will work closely with DEFRA and MHCLG to explore over the coming months. We appreciate the steps that many in the festivals sector are already taking to improve their sustainability credentials. Organisations such as A Greener Festival and Julie’s Bicycle are playing an important role in raising the profile of sustainable event certification. The Association for Independent Festivals (AIF) have also run several high profile campaigns such as the ‘Drastic on Plastic’ and ‘Take your Tent Home’ initiatives in recent years. Ahead of the 2022 festival season, the Government urges festival organisers to work with such organisations and continue to make progress in becoming greener. The Government will continue to examine the role it can play in improving the sustainability of events. Drug Checking at Festivals