Plan announced by culture secretary Oliver Dowden lacks investment and timeframes say theatre unions and creatives

• Coronavirus – latest updates
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It was presented as a “roadmap” with a “clear pathway” for the reopening of the UK’s performing arts venues, which face devastation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the strategy unveiled on Thursday by culture secretary Oliver Dowden has been dismissed as “meaningless” and “woeful” by theatre unions, with creatives across the industry adding to the chorus of disapproval.

What Dowden’s five-step roadmap crucially lacks, they argue, is investment in the arts, detailed timeframes and a reimagining of business models in light of how theatres can operate in the near future. Christine Payne, general secretary of Equity, said the union had given comprehensive feedback to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on its draft guidance for how live performance can begin again. “We have made it crystal clear,” she said, “that without an investment plan to protect jobs and workplaces, these efforts to develop return-to-work guidance will be meaningless.”

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“I’ve got to talk to you, I’m afraid, about poo” probably wasn’t the line of questioning DCMS Secretary Oliver Dowden was expecting when he agreed to appear on Peston last night. Asking about the opening of public toilets in line with increasing freedom to visit parks and other attractions, Dowden did a cracking job of keeping […]

Patrick McLoughlin and Nick de Bois appointed despite apparent lack of direct experience in sector

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Two former Conservative MPs have been appointed to senior tourism jobs despite an apparent lack of direct experience in the sector, prompting accusations of cronyism within government.

Sir Patrick McLoughlin and Nick de Bois have been given roles at the British Tourist Authority and VisitEngland respectively, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said on Wednesday.

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• DCMS arguing in favour of F1, decision due later in week
• If 14-day quarantine imposed, British GP becomes untenable

The fate of this year’s British Grand Prix, and the calendar for Formula One’s return to racing in general, is likely to be decided by the end of this week.

The department for digital, culture, media and sport is waiting on a decision on whether certain sports will be granted exemptions from government plans to impose a 14-day quarantine on entry into the UK. It is expecting a decision in the next few days. DCMS is arguing in favour of F1 being given dispensation to travel freely, subject to specific requirements.

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• Government says rugby union can resume training
• Players want to know the Covid-19 testing measures in place

Premiership players are poised to seek clarification over whether their 25% pay cuts will be stopped as well as what the Covid-19 testing procedures are before agreeing to return to training following approval from the government.

The Premiership welcomed the DCMS guidelines which allow players to train individually, provided they are social distancing, but the Rugby Football Union warned there is “significant work to do” before that can happen. A decision on precisely when players can return to their clubs is expected on Thursday following a meeting between both organisations and the Rugby Players’ Association.

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(Report) Contents 0. WHO WE ARE 1. ABOUT THIS SUBMISSION 2. ANSWERING TO QUESTION 1 2.0.1 Systematic Consumer…