£750m live events insurance scheme approved

A Government-backed reinsurance scheme for live events will "bring much needed confidence" back to the sector.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the long-awaited scheme late on Thursday (August 5), saying organisers are "raring to go" now restrictions have been lifted.

After months of lobbying the sector is predictably relieved: "[This] is the news that we and the entire events industry have been desperately calling for," Southampton International Boat Show organiser Lesley Robinson said.

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"It simply isn't worth contemplating what another enforced closure of our event without this insurance would have done."

However, it will be cold comfort to the many festivals already forced to cancel this summer.

The scheme will run from next month until the end of September 2022 and open to business and entertainment events.

Alongside standard cover, organisers will be able to purchase cover for cancellations caused by a change in Government-mandated restrictions. 

There will be no cap on claims for costs, but there is a "significant", yet-to-be-disclosed premium that could prove challenging for smaller event producers.

The Government will split costs with insurers, initially covering 95% of costs after excess is paid before progressing to 97% and eventually 100% of post-excess losses.

The 'right time'

With more than half the UK population fully vaccinated, ministers believe now is the right time to introduce the scheme. 

They had previously rejected calls for a scheme while events remained uncertain. 

"As the economy reopens I want to do everything I can to help events providers and small businesses plan with confidence right through to next year," Sunak said.

Some are less than impressed with the Government's timing.

The DCMS Committee has called for a reinsurance scheme since January. A report in June recommended urgency, noting DCMS had not modelled the cost of a potential scheme at that time.

"Though it is a shame that it has come too late for some this summer, this scheme will provide the confidence the sector needs to plan and invest for future events," Committee Chair Julian Knight said.

Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) Chief Executive Deborah Annetts said the sector has missed out on several months' planning time.

"It has always been clear that the live events sector would be unable to return to anything like its previous strength without reinsurance support, which begs the question, why did the Government not come forward with this support earlier?" 

Protection for jobs 

Statements from industry leaders released via HM Treasury praised ministers' responsiveness to the sector's concerns.

UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin was "extremely grateful" the collective voice had been heard and said ministers deserve "huge credit" for taking action that will protect jobs and kickstart the live sector's recovery.

Parklife Festival Co-Founder Sacha Lord echoed this sentiment, saying the DCMS had "listened to event organisers throughout the crisis".

"This move will not only save hundreds of upcoming events, but will support the thousands of freelancers behind the scenes," he added.

We Make Events, which formed in response to the difficulties of Covid-19, said it looked forward to fine-tuning the details of the Live Events Reinsurance Scheme.

It will be delivered by Lloyd's insurers including Hiscox, Arch, Beazley, Dale and Munich Re.