Today I pressed Caroline Dinenage, the Minister of State for Digital and Culture, about the continued lack of support for freelancers in the performing arts. It isn’t just actors and performers being left out, but those working in lighting, set design, stage management and other areas who continue to fall through gaps in Government support.

The Minister had been briefed on Sheffield Theatre’s great plans for their Christmas pantomime, but that isn’t good enough. Those without the security of permanent contracts need financial support after months of uncertainty. I urged the Minister to press the Treasury on the issue, but she sidestepped the question leaving more than 200,000 people stuck without help.

Those caught without support in the performing arts are just part of an estimated three million people who have fallen through the gaps in Covid-19 financial support and I’m continuing to press their case with ExcludedUK