Culture secretary disappoints with lack of plan for theatres

Commenting on Secretary of State Oliver Dowden’s comments at the daily press conference

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“On a day when the scale of imminent job losses in theatre and the creative industries was revealed, it is incredibly disappointing that the Culture Secretary arrived at the press conference empty-handed with no rescue plan for the sector.

“Theatre workers and the industry need practical action that will stop mass redundancies. It is not good enough to say that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended when theatres across the country are launching redundancy consultations and people are already losing their jobs.

“Each day that goes by without government intervention jeopardises the future of theatres and the wider creative industries.

“Rather than using today’s press conference to announce a comprehensive plan that would reassure the sector Oliver Dowden suggested theatres could open from 4 July and announced yet another working group.

“This is complacent and demonstrates a deep lack of understanding of the issues facing theatres and the wider creative industries. Our members, many of whom have been excluded from income support schemes, will be stunned that once again their concerns have failed to be addressed.”