Arts recovery package details too late for many Bectu members

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced further details of how the arts recovery package will be distributed.

In response Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “The government appears to be failing to grasp the reality and the severity of this crisis. Further details of the arts recovery package are welcome, but for many of our members it is too late. In the three and a half weeks since the package was announced Bectu has been dealing with redundancies, layoffs and pay cuts affecting thousands of workers across the theatre industry.

“Grants of up to £3m will help some organisations, but for larger theatres and venues they will need to know the conditions of any loans to help them plan their way through the crisis.

“The need for theatres and venues to demonstrate an innovative plan and diversify their income streams will only add to the burden that these businesses are struggling to deal with because of the impact of COVID-19.

“Continued delays in distributing the funding will impact theatres’ ability to get live performances underway and as a result will inhibit their ability to generate an income which is the only way to avoid further redundancies.

“We will be approaching the Culture Recovery Fund Board and asking for further details about their plans to ensure that this funding is directed towards workers and also supports freelancers as it starts to be distributed.”

Read the full DCMS press release here.