Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven (Culture) agrees with part of the opposition that more money is needed to get the culture sector through the corona crisis. “Of course we are not there yet,” said the minister on Tuesday in a parliamentary debate.
“Of course it is not enough. This package is a first tranche for three months to get through the first emergency,” said Van Engelshoven.
Opposition parties SP, PvdA, GroenLinks and Party for the Animals have previously stated that the current measures are insufficient for these parties.
PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher lacked verbal strength from Van Engelshoven, as Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra has said in recent weeks with regard to, for example, emergency aid of 2 to 4 billion euros for KLM.
“This sector is like a domino. If it falls, countless others will fall over. Therefore, the sector must be saved. Whatever it takes“paraphrased Asscher Hoekstra.” Which minister for which sector said that? Not Minister Van Engelshoven of Culture, but it is true, “said Asscher.
GroenLinks Member of Parliament Niels van den Berge also does not understand that a total of billions is allocated for KLM and the horticultural sector, while the culture sector has to do with an extra 300 million euros on top of the existing emergency package. “Not only are there no festivals this year, but maybe not next year either,” said Van den Berge.
SP member Peter Kwint also concluded that the culture sector “has no fat on the bones”.
Van Engelshoven: ‘We will never make up for all damage’
“Each member of government chooses his own words. I am not really into the muscle language,” said Van Engelshoven in the direction of Asscher. She promises to do as much as possible to save the sector, but also gave a warning. “We will never make up for any damage.”
The national emergency package drawn up by the cabinet in March and running until 1 June includes measures to keep as many employees as possible employed with a wage subsidy (NOW), a one-off donation of 4,000 euros for entrepreneurs (TOGS) and an assistance scheme for self-employed (TOZO).
This is also used within the art and culture sector, said Van Engelshoven. She summed up: nearly 1,200 companies receive wage subsidies, more than 90,000 self-employed people receive benefits and 70,000 companies can apply for 4,000 euros. “If I do the math and those 70,000 companies use it, it will be 280 million euros. That is not a small amount,” says Van Engelshoven.
Earlier this month, the cabinet allocated an extra 300 million euros for the culture sector. A month ago it was already decided that national museums do not have to pay the rent temporarily. It is still being investigated whether that rent can be waived.
The amount does not ‘by far’ cover what municipalities and provinces spend
Municipalities and provinces receive a fee of 50 million euros, so that local cultural institutions can be supported. But that amount is also insufficient, Van Engelshoven acknowledged. “That by no means covers what municipalities and provinces spend on their cultural institutions.”
That is why the Cabinet regularly holds discussions with the culture sector and umbrella organizations of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) and the Interprovincial Consultation (IPO) to see what else is needed.
As far as Van Engelshoven is concerned, that is also the right place to take measures. According to her, municipalities and provinces are “man enough” to map out what is needed.
Ultimately, Van Engelshoven is satisfied with what is now, given the circumstances. “You can mourn for a long time about what you did not get, but also look at what you did get,” says Van Engelshoven.
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