Orchestras welcome permanent extension to Orchestra Tax Relief

Orchestras across the UK have welcomed the permanent extension of the higher 45% rate of Orchestra Tax Relief, announced by chancellor Jeremy Hunt in yesterday’s Spring Budget statement. The Association of British Orchestras (ABO), which made a collective case for the higher rate alongside theatres, museums and galleries, has ‘strongly welcomed’ the extension, calling it ‘excellent news for British orchestras’.

The temporary 50% uplifted Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) rate commenced in October 2021 in response to the pandemic, was extended in March 2023 and was originally due to reduce in April 2025 and again in April 2026.

ABO chief executive Judith Webster said: ‘OTR set at 45% permanently allows British orchestras to plan for the future with confidence, presenting major and innovative programming, including commissioning new works; further developing vital programmes that support health and wellbeing in local communities; supporting the future of the sector through music education; and planning international tours, enhancing the UK's cultural influence worldwide.’

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) also welcomed the extension, releasing a statement which said: ‘OTR has been crucial to the LSO and other orchestras since the pandemic, enabling us to increase concert activity and to grow new and different projects embracing digital alongside live performance and thus reaching and growing a new and different audience for orchestral music. The further commitment announced in the Budget today will continue that trajectory. OTR has also helped us to avoid passing on the full increase in costs to our audiences through inflated tickets which has no doubt helped the tremendous return to live performance by audiences at our London Barbican concerts.’