The live music and theatre industries have launched legal action against the Government to force the publication of the results of its pilot scheme for live events.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Peter Gabriel are among the names supporting the legal proceedings, which aim to force the government to hand over the report of Phase 1 of the Events Research Programme (ERP).
Lord Lloyd Webber said: “Today, with a range of voices from across the theatre and live entertainment industries, we are forced to take it further. We simply must now see the data that is being used to strangle our industry so unfairly.”
“The Government’s actions are forcing theatre and music companies off a cliff as the summer wears on whilst cherry-picking high-profile sporting events to go ahead. The situation is beyond urgent.”
The Events Research Programme has seen large scale events, including a business event at ACC Liverpool as well as Euro 2020 matches, the Brit Awards and music festivals, take place without social distancing measures.
The aim has been to assess the safety of large gatherings, with the government intending to use the data to help form its decisions around the reopening of the sector.
The government has released a number of findings from the data, including that just 15 cases were recorded out of 58,000 attendees in the events that took place prior to 25 May, but the results of the pilot events have not yet been published in full.
MPs from all sides took up the cause this week, quizzing tourism minister Nigel Huddleston on the whereabouts of the report in Parliament.
Shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens said there was nothing to explain the failure to publish the results, and asked what the secret was.
“Why won’t the Government tell the public, tell the industry and tell us what the results are, because all of those who have spent time and money organising and hosting test events – and those relying on this programme – would like to see the results”, she said.
And Conservative MP Mark Harper, who heads up the lockdown-sceptic COVID Research Group, said he was concerned that the government was holding back the results because it would have demonstrated that the restrictions could have been lifted on June 21.
On Thursday (24 June), the i newspaper said that it had sources that said the data would now be shared before the weekend.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
