Actors' union Equity slams London’s new Tier 3 lockdown as dealing another hammer blow to struggling theatre workers who will face a 'winter in the cold due to a government in chaos'

Actors' union Equity has slammed London's Tier 3 lockdown as dealing another hammer blow to already-struggling theatre workers. 

The union's new general secretary, Paul W Fleming, said that performers in London, Essex and Kent face a 'winter in the cold due to a government in chaos'.

Out-of-work actors usually find jobs in the hospitality sector while they are in between roles but Tier 3 has firmly ruled that option out. 

The union has said that one in five of its members are now claiming Universal Credit because the government support packages 'have excluded so many' and because cannot find alternative employment in hospitality sectors which 'normally provide second jobs for creative workers'. 

Actors' union Equity has slammed Tier 3 lockdown as dealing another hammer blow to already-struggling theatre workers

The union's new general secretary, Paul W Fleming , said that performers in London, Essex and Kent face a 'winter in the cold due to a government in chaos'

Mr Fleming said: 'Equity’s industrial agreements got theatre started again, safely, in London and the South East. Now, like their counterparts already under local lockdown elsewhere, performers, stage management, creatives and variety artistes in London, Essex and Kent face a winter in the cold due to a government in chaos.

'When we locked down nationwide in March it was unexpected and unavoidable. 

'Today, this is only happening as a result of the government’s incoherent economic and public health plan which closes theatres while other sectors remain open.

'With 40 per cent of Equity members having received nothing from furlough or SEISS since this crisis began in March, the long term effects of this short term decision making could be fatal.

Those in the sector have also vented frustration at theatres being shut down while high street shops - which have seen mass congregation in recent weeks - are allowed to remain open

'The government urgently needs to give our freelance and employed members real income support, and meaningfully invest in theatre and variety to make sure our industries – worth as much to the UK as banking – survive the pandemic.'

He added that the creative industries in the UK are worth as much to the country's economy as banking and is campaigning for a proportionate support package. 

Taking to Twitter Mr Fleming, who was appointed general secretary in July, said: 'The Creative Industries are worth as much to the UK economy as banking. 

'We’ve received only £1.57 billion for the whole sector- EasyJet alone got over 1/3 of that.

He is urging the government to use the remaining £400million which hasn't yet been spent as a stimulus for the sector.  

Those in the sector have also vented frustration at theatres being shut down while high street shops - which have seen mass congregation in recent weeks - are allowed to remain open. 

The union said: 'Moves into Tier 3 are exacerbated by incoherence - closing Covid-secure theatres while keeping shopping centres & gyms open.'

One Twitter user wrote: 'Can I just check as I want to be 100% clear. So shops can stay open yeh? 

'But theatres where you HAVE to wear a mask, get temp checked, sat socially distanced, under 60 per cent capacity, patrons details are logged, nhs app check in, cast, crew and orchestra tested every 48hrs must close!'

Another said: 'Come on where are the stats that say #theatre is causing this spike? You can’t do this again if gyms and shops can stay open you have to make special dispensation for the arts.'

While another wrote: 'Keeping non-essential shops open but not the theatre where you have a temperature check, properly social distanced and the cast are covid tested twice a week is a f****** p***take.' 

And another said: 'It’s not the rules, it’s the lack of parity: Close theatres but keep the shops open, close stadia but give vouchers for free meals, close pubs but keep the high street rammed, furlough PAYE but not the self-employed, give grants to some self-employed but not all.'