The MP for Gosport has flagged cost pressures within grassroots music venues, highlighting that two are forced to close weekly.

Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport and Chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee, shared this during Treasury Oral Questions earlier this week.

She posed a question to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott MP, asking if a VAT cut had been considered to aid these struggling venues.

This question follows a short inquiry by Ms Dinenage's Committee into the state of Grassroots Music Venues, which opened in January.

This probe was triggered after the UK lost a tenth of these venues last year.

Information from large and small venues nationwide was gathered during a roundtable session in Manchester and a subsequent evidence session at Westminster.

Industry bodies, performers and larger venues such as Wembley Arena shared valuable insights.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Dinenage said: "It isn't solely households who are facing increased cost pressures - businesses across our communities are as well, particularly small music venues that are shutting at the rate of two a week.

"So, ahead of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's inquiry into this, what thought has the Minister given to a VAT cut for the grassroots music venues across our constituencies?"

In response, Ms Trott said: "I know this is something that the honourable Lady cares very deeply about.

"I know she has a report coming out in a few weeks and I look forward to reading that then."