Additional ACE funding for ENO welcome, but still comes with conditions: Bectu

Commenting on reports that the English National Opera can apply for a further £24 million in funding from Arts Council England, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“This is welcome news for the ENO, our members employed there and for its supporters more generally. We applaud all those who were vocal about the need to reverse the damaging cuts since ACE’s funding announcement last year.

“We hope the opportunity to apply for further funding will provide some certainty for our members at the ENO, who have faced a particularly challenging and anxious time in the wake of the brutal cuts.

“However, there is no getting around the fact that this revised proposal still falls short of the funding the ENO would typically receive from ACE, and comes with conditions, including the requirement for the ENO to develop an alternate base. This means that many of our members could still face future uncertainty.

“We will continue to do all we can to support our members, and will fully engage with the ENO, as plans to develop a base outside of London progress.”

Read more in the ENO’s statement here.