The Government is facing renewed pressure to support the live comedy sector after the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, wrote to the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts seeking an update on the Government’s plans.

Last year, the Committee held an evidence session on live comedy, after which it made a series of recommendations (here), the most notable being that the sector – estimated to have an annual turnover of over £1 billion –  should be recognised as a distinct art form, thereby making it eligible for funding from Government and other bodies in its own right. Other recommendations also included greater support for live comedy venues, renewed calls for a ‘Freelance Commissioner’, and that the Government continue to support the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).

In the Minister’s response (here), the importance of the live comedy sector was acknowledged, but he was clear that there were no plans to recognise it as a distinct art form, nor were there any particularly firm commitments about venues or the CIISA.

This has prompted the Chair to write again seeking an update. In her letter, she addresses a variety of matters, including commitments from the Government to attend a comedy roundtable meeting, meet with Arts Council England, and how to make the Edinburgh Fringe more accessible. She also asks for information about the latest meeting with CIISA and how it intends to address power imbalances in sectors such as comedy.

Finally, on the question of the freelance commissioner and the support of live comedy venues, the Chair points out that, despite assurances that a ‘freelance champion’ would be appointed by the end of last year, no such appointment has been made. Also, no clarity has been provided as to whether the Government supports the Committee’s recommendation that the grassroots music levy (discussed here) should be extended to the comedy sector.

To read the letter, click here.