DCMS Committee Chair pleads for furlough extension

DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight has written to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden pleading for an extension to furlough for the creative industries.

The September 3 letter, released on Monday, says arts and other organisations have "become hostages to fortune".

"While restrictions on activity and audiences remain, employees of empty theatres and closed leisure centres face no immediate prospect of returning to work.," Knight wrote.

"The decision to introduce those restrictions on the arts and leisure sectors was a Government one. The Government therefore has a responsibility to support these sectors’ workforces until the industries have fully re-opened."