Coronavirus: Last sectors to reopen make joint plea for government aid

The body representing the creative industries has joined forces with its respective organisations in hospitality and heritage to call for additional government support for sectors that will be the last to reopen after lockdown.

The Creative Industries Federation, UKHospitality and the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions are making a united plea for businesses and individuals unable to resume work as quickly as other areas of society.

These sectors will face a financial "cliff edge" if support schemes are curtailed before they are able to restart operations, the government is being warned.

"As lockdown measures begin to ease, the government must recognise those businesses and professionals who will be much later to return to work," said a joint statement from the bodies’ bosses, including CIF chief executive Caroline Norbury.

"Our brilliant creative, hospitality and heritage sectors employ millions of workers across the UK and form a key part of the UK’s cultural identity. However, many parts of these sectors will be unable to operate fully while maintaining social distancing.

"We must avoid a cliff edge on vital measures such as the job retention scheme and the self-employed income support scheme, ensuring relief continues for those businesses who will take the longest to resume full levels of operation," it said.

The organisations are calling for government to extend relief measures and introduce "targeted support for those industries most in need", asking the government to consider similar measures as have been imposed in Belgium and Germany.

"The inclusion of financial support should be included in the remit of the newly established ministerial task forces.

"Our businesses will play a key role in regenerating the UK, and in driving tourism and the wider economy, as we rebuild. They must be supported through this crisis," the statement said.