News

Let Live Thrive: Without government-backed insurance, live events workers face a serious threat to job security and livelihoods

14 April 2021

This morning, leaders from across the entertainment and insurance industries held an online crisis meeting hosted by the Let Live Thrive campaign, to discuss the necessity of government-backed insurance for UK events.

The meeting was chaired by Julian Knight MP, Chair of the DCMS Select Committee, and the panel included:

  • Sir Brendan Foster CBE, Chair of The Great North Run
  • Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, CEO of UK Music
  • Paul Reed, CEO of Association of Independent Festivals
  • Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu
  • James Davies, Divisional Director, EC3 Brokers
  • Tim Thornhill, Director, Tysers

Speaking at the meeting, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“The creative industries have been amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic, yet its workers have received some of the lowest levels of support. Without government-backed insurance, live events workers face a serious threat to their job security and livelihoods.

“A recent Bectu survey found that 59% of live events workers have lost over half of their income in the past year. This is a devastating figure that shows the reality of the situation for live events workers, who simply cannot afford the risk of cancellation without an insurance scheme to cover the losses.”

The speakers agreed that the following provisions are essential for the recovery of the live events industry:

  • The government commits to engaging with insurers in parallel with the Events Research Programme to consult on a structure for a government-backed contingency insurance scheme for live events.
  • The government outlines a timetable for consulting on such a scheme and indicates to event organisers when they can expect clarity on the issue of insurance.
  • The government recognises publicly that the progress made with the vaccine roll out and the issue of long lead times, means that insurance is the first barrier for live events to take place this summer.

The Let Live Thrive campaign has opened up a valuable conversation with the Government and the public about the importance of insurance for live events. We must work together to safeguard the future of live events and those who work in the industry and ensure a successful and safe reopening.

Bectu’s One Year On survey

Our recent One Year On survey, which assessed the impact of the pandemic on the creative industries, highlighted the extent to which workers in the creative industries remain excluded and the necessity of future provisions to secure a safe and successful return to work.

The survey had 734 respondents who worked in live events production across the UK, of which:

  • 48% are not currently working in any industry
  • 30% have been made redundant or laid off at least once since the start of the pandemic
  • 25% have been excluded from government support schemes

Following the results of the survey, Bectu has written to Oliver Dowden and urged the government to consider providing government-backed insurance for theatres, venues and live events. The Film and TV Production Restart Scheme has proven to be a great success, allowing creative workers in the TV industry to safely return to work. Theatres, venues and live events require the same backing to minimise the risks of restarting and ensure a successful reopening.