THEATRE TWITTER - it's not enough to be loud on social media about arts support. Here's what I'm doing and I hope you'll join me in doing it:

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1) WRITE TO YOUR MP TODAY and put pressure on them. I'm told we need to ask for an URGENT QUESTION to be tabled.

There's a deadline every day to submit a UQ. If accepted, they'll get a couple of hours to prep and the relevant minister HAS to appear in parliament

It's at the beginning of the day, and MPs can bid to be in parliament once the floor opens. That means, if enough of us put pressure, and our MPs show up, they can attest that their constituents are also worried.

This will likely be the right option if you're in a labour hold

If you want a template, here's what I sent to @PutneyFleur & @TracyBrabin

Here are the deadlines for UQs:

Monday - 11.30am
Tuesday and Wednesday - 10am
Thursday - 8.15am
Friday - 8.30am

If you're in a Tory constituency:

2) write to your MP and ask for an end of day debate. Something along the lines of 'your government is in charge and you need to make a change'

This would be taken at the end of the day in the main chamber. Any MP can ballot to be there.

3) Every 6 weeks or so every department of government HAS to answer oral questions. All ministers of that department MUST attend. MPs can also submit questions.

You should ask them to put forward questions about a SPECIFIC ARTS FUNDING PACKAGE that is NOT related to NPOs

(for those who don't know, NPOs are National Portfolio Organisations - there's already a question on this being tabled tomorrow by a Southampton MP)

4) SIGN THIS SPECIFIC PETITION - if it's not on the parliament site, they don't care. You can also write to your MP and flag that there are 145k+ signatures, so there IS support for this and should be taken seriously https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/320711

We need MPs behind this. We need them behind this NOW. We don't need lip service. We don't need to be placated. We need to find any way to save our sector.

Further resources:

Here's the Arts Index for 2007 - 2018, you'll want to look at this for stats about how much funding we've lost in the last decade and how that's impacting us now https://forthearts.org.uk/publications/arts-index-2007-2018/

And here's a report commissioned by the @Creative_Fed on the impact of COVID-19 on the Arts:

https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/The%20Projected%20Economic%20Impact%20of%20Covid-19%20on%20the%20Creative%20Industries%20Report%20-%20Creative%20Industries%20Federation%202020.pdf

If you want to write to your Tory MP, here's an example shared by @dreamalongjoy https://twitter.com/dreamalongjoy/status/1275460081388224512

Update: there IS a debate happening tomorrow but now is NOT the time to take pressure off your MPs!

Look at the Parliament schedule: it is NOT a debate specific to theatre. That means we may he overlooked in favour of others and because it’s so broad Dowden may not be there

So here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to watch the debate. I’ll live tweet it for those who can’t/don’t want to. If we get brushed over, WE WRITE AGAIN and specifically talk about how the debate was inadequate and we don’t believe government is taking us seriously

UPDATE: it was going around that the debate was at 9:30am. That’s not the case. This is from the Parliament website. Hang in there till about 3 everyone.

Also attached list of MPs attending

Here’s the link if anyone wants it: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5801/cmagenda/calllist200625v01.pdf

The debate about saving industries (not specifically theatre) is expected to start in ~40 minutes

Watch on @BBCParliament or on YouTube. Or follow my live tweets here.

Don’t know about you but I can’t think of anything else

#SaveTheArtsUK

The debate about health care workers is wrapping up, we should be starting fairly soon (3 minutes or so)...

I genuinely don't remember the last time I've felt so anxious watching anything.

THREE MINUTE WARNING EVERYONE

Get that link up if you want to watch live https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/a7b6db44-6101-42c7-b2a0-32abd08b80ef

Well that was a short three minutes.

THEY ARE STARTING NOW. Apparently it's a "very very well subscribed debate"

Theresa Villiers (conservative) up first...

We're looking at 5 petitions that reached 100,000. Support for events, arts/theatre/music, zoos, nursery and childcare providers & aviations

7 other petitions on help on performers & creatives, pubs, etc.

Impact "unavoidable" when crisis occurs - government has heard everyone in this and responded at "immense speed" to protect jobs. Fastest in nation's history.

Talking about the furlough scheme... £28b to employers.

Loads of figures about how great the gov't is

More figures about how gov't have supported businesses. I imagine this is about to go into the route of: "we've done enough"

Intervention was "bold and radical" and without intervention it would've been worse

Literally no one is disagreeing what they did is good. We need more.

She's reading out reviews of people praising all the government intervention to date.

"It's only if you fix the roof while the sun is shining" that you have the money to provide the kind of action that is called for now.

"Sadly, we know... there are gaps in support"

Giving way to the 'honourable gentleman'

Talking about festival industry & the self employed. Asking if she agrees we need specific support for festival industry.

SHE AGREES - and wants a sector-specific scheme

Arts/Musicians/creatives/etc

"This crucial part of our economy could be the hardest hit"

SHE'S TALKING ABOUT REGIONAL THEATRES AND THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

Oh my god, are the ministers actually about to help us?

Talking about freelancers in the arts who fell through, those stuck between freelance & PAYE, those who left at the wrong time.

"We must have a clear plan to get theatres and venues open"

No no, no that's not it.

She's moved on to talking about how South Korea has opened.

Now moving into aviation. I'll be talking about theatre specific stuff unless something really winds me up.

Interruption: Flagging that a million people who are falling through the gap, and asking if the treasury will be addressing this.

Response (in essence): Yes, they acknowledge, we do need something, lets get the economy going again

Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon, conservative)

10,000 jobs saved with furlough in Wimbledon

Issues with scheme:
- eligibility needs realtime submission to HMRC
- issue with self employed disparity

"we look forward to 4th of July"

Speaking in terms of future economic packages - wants government to recognise the disparity in regions

"A post code lottery developing" - the government has given advice as what qualifies & is specific, different councils are interpreting differently. Impact on suppliers

Mention of White Light and how being allowed to be open may not allow them to actually get income back.

Finally, mentioning culture & arts and wants to see it, not just in the West End but across the sector. "No income or access to help since the pandemic struck"

Calling for a specific arts package to make sure when we do reopen, the culture is able to survive

YES STEPHEN HAMMOND STRONG START

Also Polka Theatre & New Wimbledon Theatre got a shout out. This bodes well.

Moving on to Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside, labour)

Talking about aviation.

Yep, he only talked about aviation and defence.

Next up: Darren Henry (Broxtowe, Conservative) - his maiden speech

"I say to my constituents, I will be your man. I will stand up for you."

Darren Henry is speaking about Windrush, his parents were among the people who came.

Talking about how not everyone impacted by Windrush is Labour, that he's conservative to his fingertips.

Right, he's now talking about supporting industries.

We're talking about businesses in his community diversified to ensure needs of community were met.

On to Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North, Labour)

Acknowledges the unprecedented (if I never see that word again...) government support, but "we cannot ignore those who have slipped through the gaps"

Talking about aviation

Right! Our world leading performing arts sector has been "brought to our knees"

Talking about how theatre after theatre is closing down.

Reading out someone's letter - not named but thanks! - about how everyone is fighting for survival.

"we cannot allow people who have lost out most to continue to be forgotten... we must help as many as possible get through this crisis"

Moving to a 3 minute limit now.

Next up: Patricia Gibson (NorthAyrshire and Arran, SNP)

Lots of unprecedented.

Talking about people who have fallen through the gaps in the furlough & SEISS scheme, soaring unemployment.

"I literally do not have time to go through the thousands of jobs that have been lost. The whole point of the Job Retention Scheme was to save jobs... if it ends too early, it has failed in that goal"

Treat the debt as war debt, says Bank of England, and this is absolutely correct. We cannot enter another period of austerity.

"The worst economic depression in over 300 years"

Talking about insufficient funds to Scotland to help face they issues, huge disparity in funds

Next up: Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Mon, conservative)

Tourism and hospitality. Contributes £300m to their local economy.

Next up: Navendu Mishra (Stockport, Labour)

Support for industries is "absolutely essential"

Wants people's lives to be put first ahead of opening the economy. Wants to ensure regions economy can reopen safely.

"Without support, they will not be able to survive"

Next up: Greg Smith (Buckingham, Conservative)

Clear that many jobs have been saved all due to the 'unprecedented' support by the Gov't

Acknowledges additional sectors need support

Used to be a trustee of a theatre & arts centre! Wants to assure the future of British theatre'

The 3 minute limit means everyone is kind of brushing over quickly now, so that's actually all he said about theatres.

Talking about coach companies now in more depth and wants this sector to get help in particular.

Waiting for more arts related information

Next up: Stephen Kinnock (Aberavon, Labour)

Wants "a modern manufacturing renaissance" - steel to be at the heart.

Next up: Jerome Mayhew (Broadland, Conservative)

Government responded "magnificently" (at least he didn't say unprecedented)

Talking about how having to repay debts in next 5 years means it won't help economy in long term. This is the "opposite of what we need to happen"

Next up: Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Lib Dem)

Wants to help creative industries, taxis and now talking about tourism.

Next up: Nick Fletcher (Don Valley, Conservative)

"The longer we stay off work, the harder it is to go back"

Talking about building & furlough

"We are all stakeholders in our future"

Not about the arts, just liked it.

Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye, conservative)

Talking about gov't's 'vast economic support' and reading out about how the government has helped constituents

Delighted about reopening on 4th July -

TALKING ABOUT CULTURAL AND ARTS SECTOR

11,000 jobs & 5,000 self employed helped in her constituency by the government

Essentially wants to encourage people to support local businesses and start marketing domestic tourism again.

"we need to put rocket boosters under our culture sector" mentioning local hubs.

Asking the government to see a clear plan to drive up domestic tourism to support hospitality and culture.

Does want economic support to help them through three winters.

Next up: Kevan Jones MP (North Durham, Labour)

Talking about manufacturing. Talking about tourism needing support. Railways. Calling for the gov't to invest in the north east. Gov't task force needed for the NE.

Next up: Fay Jones (Breacon and Radnorshire, Conservative)

Talking about festivals (incl. Green Man). "deprives us of more than just great music"

(I did go last year and the music wasn't great I thought, but that's neither here nor there)

Talking about farming & agriculture

Talking about arts and culture and how outdoor venues can reopen, but local venues don't know what's happening.

Talking about the thousands of self employed actors, etc, who are being left in the dark compared to their counterparts in England

unprecedented again, but saying the money only went to England and didn't go as far as Wales.

Next; Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Green)

Talking about the arts! Woo!

Calling on "urgent life support measures" for music, arts centres, theatres, "any space that is a hub"

"A world without grassroots venues is a world where future talent never gets heard"

Talking about protecting self employed artist income

Yes Caroline Lucas!

"We shouldn't be bailing out BA when they treat their workers so appallingly"

Calls on a green recovery and human and planetary wellbeing.

Next up: Mike Wood (Dudley South, Conservative)

Pubs and hospitality contributed 7% of national GDP

The gov't has done much to support, measures that have been vital but hospitality needs more.

Events, festivals, theatres and music festivals need support.

Next up: Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow, Labour)

10% of population could face unemployment, incl. 1 million young people.

First to mention risk of no deal Brexit and exit from EU and a second wave.

Mention of freelance jobs in the theatre & arts and the new starters who have been neglected.

"We cannot afford another lost generation"

Next up: Anthony Browne (South Cambridgeshire, Conservative)

(sorry for lag, my internet is being rubbish!)

Paying tribute to the NHS and people in private sector

Aware of the gaps, he's part of the treasury select committee, and saying that that's bound to happen

"The government has been very flexible"

Wants to get economy going again

Next up: Taiwo Owatemi (Coventry North West, Labour)

As many in 270 people lost lives due to COVID in her city.

Fears that the furlough scheme masks the true extent of the crisis in the job market.

Talking about theatre & arts.

Flagging that there is no special support despite the promises there would be. Asks for a virtual meeting to discuss further.

Next up: Felicity Buchan (Kensington, Conservative)

"Never let a good crisis go to waste" - encourages learning from the crisis and apply post-Brexit.

Talking about needing more high tech manufacturing & engineering capacity using ventilators as a reference.

Next: Rachel Hopkins (Luton South, Labour)

Talking about London Luton Airport & the aviation ecosystem.

Next up: Mark Fletcher (Bolsover, Conservative)

Unprecedented times met with unprecedented actions

Talking about self employment scheme & how safe his constituents feel. "I fear I could spend my entire three minutes outlining the amazing actions this government have taken"

Next up: Sarah Olney (Richmond Park, Lib Dem)

This issue, more than any other, is the one her constituents are reaching out about. Really shows the complexity of the economy.

Gov't prep for pandemic did not prepare for a pandemic, revealed in a committee she's in

"Support was focused on those who earn salaries and pay mortgages"

Asks for future lockdown planning.

Biggest tragedy is those who missed out are those most instrumental in rebuilding the economy. Specific mention of freelancers. Must focus investment on key industries.

Necessity of supporting theatres and encourage to extend it to the entire culture sector.

Being able to enjoy live music and live theatre again one day will be 'absolutely essential'

Noting how good creative industry is at engaging young people

If we support them now, we will see them return as soon as they are able.

Rounding up the discussion: Shadow Minister Richard Thomson (Gordon, SNP)

Acknowledging all the various industries mentioned, self employed support scheme, those newly self employed etc. Makes the case for a universal basic income (!).

Looking at a jobs guarantee for under 25s and green policy to "make sure new normal is better than the old normal"

Makes a final plea for the energy sector.

"If the UK government is not willing to use the powers that it has to address those shortcomings and to tackle those additional issues that need to be tackled, then this government should devolve those powers to governments elsewhere in these islands that will use them"

I thought this was over! Carrying on...

Next up: Matthew Pennycook (Greenwich and Woolwich, Labour)

Petitions are evidence that we need to refine government support & protect income

3 points:
1) improve already introduced
2) sector specific support
3) strategic response

Wants to revisit the 'one size fits all approach' which shows that the economic impact of the pandemic has not been felt uniformly across different sectors.

Logic dictates a differentiated report for industries most in need

The arts and creative industries and the sectors dependent on them have been hit particularly hard & will be the last to reopen.

Mention not viable to do with social distancing.

Throwing @OliverDowden in - on 8th June said a package was "imminent" yet weeks later - nothing

"That industry desperately needs more help"

Now actually wrapping up: Nigel Huddleston, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for DCMS (Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

Unprecedented global crisis, gov't has provided unprecedented support. Talking about Job Retention Scheme. 2.6 m self employed & bounce back loans.

He's talking around things rather a lot. Saying that working groups have been set up to discuss what further support may be required.

Interruption: "Will you put on record that the creative industries contribute a huge amount to our economy, they improve everyone's mental...

... wellbeing, and will he recognise that... many freelancers... particularly in the Creative Industries."

That passion is shared and conversations are ongoing.

My hero is the MP that just interrupted, but name wasn't acknowledged so not sure who she is! If you know, please do say!

Back to Theresa Villiers. Thanking everyone and all contributors. Naming the people who started the petitions. "They can all be assured that their voices have been heard"

"I'd like also to echo the strong points made about securing the future of aviation and, of course, securing the future of the performing arts and culture where the need for support is urgent and the need for a plan for reopening is also urgent"

'The Ayes have it, the ayes have it'

That's us done, anyway. That's for bearing with this now absurdly long thread.

Roundup:

13 of 28 MPs mentioned the arts in their speech
1 MP interrupted at the end to make further point

Of the 13:
7 Conservative
3 Labour
2 Lib Dem
1 Green Party

MVPs:
Sarah Olney (Lib Dem), Caroline Lucas (Green) and Matthew Pennycook (Labour), the MP who interrupted

MVP MP who interrupted is @munirawilson - thank you for asking this question! https://twitter.com/munirawilson/status/1276182106960547840?s=20

For those asking what comes next - I'm going to process this, speak to people much more clever than I, devise a collective action plan and share it tomorrow. Now is NOT the time to take the pressure off - this is the critical moment for the arts. We can't stop now.

BBC newscast tonight focusing on theatre if anyone is interested

https://twitter.com/dinosofos/status/1276231312244912128?s=21 https://twitter.com/dinosofos/status/1276231312244912128

Buckle up friends, it's almost time to live tweet the #CoronavirusNewscast. @dinosofos replied to my last tweet saying that tonight there will be news on the government's proposals to bring theatre back. Not hugely optimistic it'll be a good plan, but at least we'll know more.

Right they're finally talking about us! About how we've been "particularly stressed out" recently.

Talking about how we're allowed to work in a theatre but not have any audiences.

Acknowledged that local theatres are important outside of London as well, huge drive to economy

Oliver Dowden is 'poised to reveal a 5 point plan'

Apparently part 2, where we are now, is being able to have rehearsals

Point 3 is outdoor theatre but there's not a date on that yet

Judi Dench & David Tennant are live now

They played a clip done in lockdown and they've asked Judi if anyone dared to "mute you"

"Mute you? What does that mean?"

Talking about lack of revenue, which we know. Talking about how it doesn't make any apparent sense to be able to open without performance, and then how to avoid collapsing when we're able to open but with social distancing.

"The safety of the audiences has to be paramount" -DT

"We have to keep theatres going until we're able to open properly'

They're asking Judi about the next generation of talent that won't be able to cut their teeth at regional venues if more collapse.

Judi is giving a shout out to the people running theatre & people you don't see

Stage door person, carpenter, lighting, etc.

"How do you do a comedy with people sparsely sitting?... I don't know what feedback you would get" and the question of whether audience would enjoy the play if it was like this.

Apparently yesterday a report came out suggesting a screen between the actors and the audience. Asked what Judi thought about this.

Judi: "well you could have a play about a goldfish couldn't you?"

God I love her.

David saying he doesn't know how much theatre needs, but knows it needs something.

For every £1 invested, £5 is returned. "There's not charity in that. That means it's an industry that will be part of the economic recovery if it can survive to open properly."

70% stat quoted

70% closing would "have cultural implications forever" - DT

How would you defend funding to people who think theatre is a 'nice to have' not a necessity?

JD: We pay our dues to our economy and we're famous for our theatre and theatre tradition here.

JD cont: During lockdown... everyone has turned to films and streaming of plays. It is something I think you need... I think people would miss their local theatre or being able to go to the theatre in London...

... You hear the OV or Southampton are in trouble, and you wonder if they'll open again

Oooh, they've made a joke about driving to test your eyesight. Much giggling.

"Do either of you have any work booked in in the near future?"

DT: Was in the middle of filming, now waiting to hear if they'll start again

JD: About two days after the lockdown was supposed to do 2 weeks at @_bridgetheatre. Could still be done at some point.

That's all folks

The theatre road map has been released! Details here: https://amp.theguardian.com/stage/2020/jun/25/government-publishes-roadmap-for-englands-theatres?CMP=twt_a-stage_b-gdnstage&__twitter_impression=true

Essentially, no news on funding or money.

@OliverDowden: “I am determined to ensure the performing arts do not stay closed any longer than is absolutely necessary to protect public health.”

So in short: same story, different title.

Last night I went on @LBC with @darrenadam to discuss @OliverDowden’s new theatre roadmap and Tickets the @KingsHeadThtr dog gets a shout out too

It’s ten minutes long if you want to listen here - June 26, starting from 02:36

#SaveTheArtsUK https://www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/london/b8DN6tJ/

RIGHT - lets regroup. Now we've seen this so-called 'roadmap' we know they're all absolutely full of it.

Here's what we're going to write to our MPs:

- The roadmap was a reckless and ill-thought through plan that lacks all of the information and transparency we've been after

- it is entirely useless without any word on 'no earlier than' dates

- it ignores our request (as debated in Parliament) for urgent funding

- Keep asking for an URGENT QUESTION to be tabled, write emails that include the information from the last couple days (info in thread)

KEEP PUTTING PRESSURE ON YOUR MPs

#SaveTheArtsUK

Here's what I've just sent @TracyBrabin and @PutneyFleur.
Feel free to steal as much as you like to write to your MP and I can put it in a word doc and share if anyone wants to copy it.

#SaveTheArtsUK