Government misses opportunity to save national cultural infrastructure

The Prime Minster has announced an infrastructure plan to rebuild the economy in response to COVID-19, with no mention of support for the creative industries and specifically theatres.

In response Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“Today’s infrastructure announcement is a missed opportunity for the government to respond to the catastrophe in the cultural industries created by COVID-19.

“Our national cultural infrastructure is failing and is in serious crisis – thousands of jobs are being erased from our economy. A recovery and rescue plan is urgently needed to ensure that this sector, which before the pandemic was contributing over £100bn to the economy, is able to recover.

“Every day that passes without a recovery plan further jeopardises the future of this sector. The government’s short-sighted approach, which focuses on existing measures and plans, demonstrates a lack of flexibility to respond to this crisis. This plan fails to deliver any sign that the government is listening or any hope for people in the creative industries that all is not lost for their work and careers.”