More calls for help for arts freelancers who ‘face using food banks’

The government has been urged to do more to help performers and other arts freelancers as venues are shut again during lockdowns in England and Wales.

Labour MP Chris Elmore told the House of Commons there were “growing numbers of freelancers, musicians, performance artists who are excluded” from support.

Theatre workers face “adding to the queues at food banks”, another MP said.

Arts minister Caroline Dinenage said the government was “working very hard” to help freelancers access support.

She said Arts Council England had allocated £119m for individuals, on top of the £1.57bn available to venues in England through the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden acknowledged that a third of freelancers in all walks of life had not been able to access the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, which the government confirmed on Thursday would be extended to cover 80% of average trading profits.

“I understand the many challenges faced by freelancers and I hear about it every day,” Mr Dowden said. “It is the case that across the economy 66% of freelancers are able to benefit from the Treasury scheme, which has been increased again by the chancellor.”

‘Exodus of talent’

Responding to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement, Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, said she was “delighted” but that “expanding the eligibility criteria remains essential for preventing an exodus of highly skilled talent from our world-leading arts sector”.

The Musicians’ Union said the extension of SEISS was “fantastic news for many of our members”, but added that it was “time to close the gaps in support” that it said 38% of musicians had fallen through.

The Equity performers’ union has said 40% of members were ineligible for SEISS, and warned last week that “the trickle of lost talent will become a flood”.