In order to support the sustainability of the arts sector, including self-employed actors and theatres, DCMS has worked closely with Arts Council England (ACE) to provide a tailored package of financial support. In March, ACE announced a £160m emergency response package to complement the financial measures already announced by the Government and to ensure immediate resilience of this vital sector.

This includes £20 million of financial support for individuals, including self-employed actors, and £140 million of support for organisations, including theatres, so they can better sustain themselves, and their work, in the coming months. To date over 9000 individuals and organisations have been successful in applying for this support.

Furthermore, self employed visual artists are among the millions of people (including self-employed actors) who can now benefit from the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, which will provide those eligible with cash grants worth up to £2,500 per month. We expect that the Self-Employed Income Support scheme will cover 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

The Chancellor has been clear on strengthening the safety-net for the self-employed and has announced a range of measures from which they will benefit. The next Income Tax Self-Assessment payments, due in July, will be deferred for that month. Self-employed individuals in temporary financial distress as a result of Covid-19 and who are unable to pay their tax on time or have existing liabilities are also eligible for Time to Pay. HMRC have set up a dedicated helpline to enable those eligible to get practical help and advice which can be reached by calling 0800 0159 559.

Freelancers and the self-employed may also benefit through the welfare system, including the £1,000 per annum increase in the Universal Credit standard allowance, the equivalent increase in the basic rate of Working Tax Credit and the uprating of Local Housing Allowance.

We are also temporarily relaxing the Minimum Income Floor for all self-employed Universal Credit claimants for the duration of the outbreak. This means a drop in earnings due to sickness or self-isolation or as a result of the economic impact of the outbreak will be reflected in claimants’ awards. Universal Credit can be claimed online or via phone, meaning self-employed claimants will not be required to attend the jobcentre for this.

Additionally, self-employed people unable to work because they are directly affected by Covid-19 or self-isolating will also be eligible for Contributory Employment and Support Allowance. As announced at Budget, this is now payable from the first day of sickness, rather than the eighth.

The Secretary of State regularly meets with film and television representatives from a range of backgrounds as part of her role. However, due to the confidential nature of many of these meetings, we are unable to give details of such engagements. Increasing screen diversity is a priority for government, and we continue to work with our arm’s length body the British Film Institute (BFI) to improve representation both on and off screen, including through supporting the wider adoption of their world-leading Diversity Standards.