Extension of support welcome, but gaping holes remain, says Bectu

Bectu has warned that though many will be relieved, tens of thousands of creatives who have lost their jobs or are currently excluded from support will gain nothing from the government’s extension of furlough till the end of March.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs: “The Chancellor must urgently address the holes in support” (© Jess Hurd)

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“Last minute announcements have left many Bectu members either without an income or in a vicious cycle of being fired and rehired. The extension of SEISS and the Job Retention Scheme to the end of March will come as a huge relief to thousands in the creative industries who were anxious about another looming deadline at the start of December.

“However, the announcement will not help the thousands of theatre, cinema and live events workers who have already been made redundant. Nor will it help the three million self-employed and freelance workers, including thousands of Bectu members, who have been excluded from Government support since March due to the limitations of SEISS. The Chancellor must urgently address these gaping holes in support.

“The Chancellor and Culture Secretary know that social distancing has a disproportionate impact on many cultural venues. I urge them to get round the table with unions and business groups, well in advance of March, to establish a new plan to support these industries in the medium to long term.”