Philharmonia Welcomes Permanent Extension to Higher Rate of Orchestra Tax Relief
The Philharmonia Orchestra welcomes the Chancellor’s announcement that Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) will become permanent at a higher rate in today’s Spring Budget statement.
We are delighted that Chancellor has recognised the value of culture, following the collective case made by the Association of British Orchestras (ABO), alongside theatres, museums and libraries. Making Orchestra Tax Relief permanent at the rate of 45% is an important step to counter the wider challenges facing arts and culture across the country.
Today’s announcement enables our sector to remain artistically ambitious, building new audiences, creating positive social impact for local communities, commissioning new music, developing future composers and performers, generating employment for the UK’s world-class musicians, and planning international tours which enhance the UK’s cultural influence worldwide – all in the face of continued economic pressures.
For the Philharmonia, today’s announcement will enable the continuation and development of projects that would not be possible without OTR. This includes landmark artistic series, like our autumn focus on Let Freedom Ring: Celebrating the Sounds of America; engagement projects like Hear and Now, which brings together young people and those living with dementia to make music, our groundbreaking digital virtual reality projects, and our schools concerts series Orchestra Unwrapped, which brings the experience of hearing live orchestral music to thousands of children in our regional residencies around the UK every year.
Thorben Dittes, Chief Executive of the Philharmonia, says “We are delighted that the importance of creative tax reliefs, as a key factor underpinning UK orchestras’ finances and work has been recognised by the government. Today’s announcement means we can now plan with greater confidence to deliver the most exciting orchestral performances and learning and community activities up and down the country.”
As we seek creative solutions to the sector’s future growth and resilience, the continuity of this vital support is a welcome boost for us and for all the UK’s celebrated orchestras.
