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The Government has officially rejected a petition signed by more than 42,000 people calling for an extended furlough scheme for the theatre and live music industries.

Its response says that it recognises this is a challenging time for the sector.

"However, the Government’s judgement has been that it would be extremely challenging to extend the CJRS (Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme) for specific sectors in a fair and deliverable way, and that to do so would not be the most effective or sensible means by which to provide longer term support for those sectors most affected by COVID-19.

"It would also be difficult to target the CJRS at specific sectors without creating economic distortions, particularly since many firms work across multiple sectors."

It highlighted the Job Retention Bonus, a one-off payment of £1000 to employers for each furloughed employee, and the Job Support Scheme, the successor to the CJRS.

Graffiti artist STIK, who has sold a smaller model of his four-metre Holding Hands sculpture at auction for almost £290,000, is donating the money to the London Borough of Hackney to create a series of outdoor art works. STIK said the project is intended to "facilitate a new wave of public sculpture in East London, celebrating the diverse communities who live here.”

Research into the careers of graduates from six leading theatre and dance institutions has revealed complex working patterns and a wide range of career trajectories. A report, ‘It helps to have more strings to your bow’: Exploring the careers and success of graduates of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama’ presents a new, holistic model of graduate success, examining artistic engagement, wellbeing and making a difference, as well as earnings.

After leaving their institutions, almost 90% of the students surveyed had maintained a connection to the artform they had studied, either through paid or unpaid activity. 4 out of 5 think they have built a good career since graduation – most being highly satisfied with many aspects of their work.

Leaders from sectors including financial and professional services, tech firms and cultural organisations are meeting over the next three months to find new ways that London’s cultural and commercial sectors can work together to support creative businesses and sustain London’s position as a global business hub. The new Culture & Commerce Taskforce is chaired by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell, and will be driven by the City of London Corporation and ‘Culture Mile’, its cultural district.

Estimates suggest that the creative industries are suffering twice the hit as the wider economy due to the pandemic, with London expecting a £14.8 billion drop in GVA and 110,000 job losses.

Crafts Council & Craft Scotland, Help Musicians, Society of Authors, Visual Arts Scotland and BECTU have been confirmed as the partners that will help Creative Scotland deliver the Scottish Government’s £5m Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers, due to open for applications next week.

The fund - which is  not competitive but will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis - is open to those in “immediate difficulty”, meaning already unable to meet essential costs. It will provide bursaries of between £500 and £2,000.

A similar fund in Wales closed in just one hour after heavy demand saw 'maximum application capacity' reached in many local authority areas.

A survey by the Museum Freelance group has found that less than half of freelancers and consultants working with museums, galleries, heritage sites, archives and galleries feel they are valued and recognised for the work they do, and just 12% agree that sector organisations support freelancers. Only 19% said they are paid an appropriate day rate and 57% are not contributing to a pension.

Museum Freelance has developed a set of recommendations to help the sector address these issue, including developing best practice procurement processes, and implementing guidance on contractual issues.

Co-director Christina Lister said: “With a growing proportion of the museums workforce choosing to – or being forced to – turn to freelancing, it is now more important than ever that the sector tackles the issues identified in this survey."

Changes to the Job Support Scheme to reduce the burden on employers who can't operate due to local coronavirus restrictions will have little effect on the arts.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan said theatres are suffering a downturn in business, but haven't been forced to close and therefore are ineligible for the increased support.

"We therefore urge the Chancellor to implement a sector specific support scheme for theatres and other events spaces which cannot reopen and are rapidly running out of money. This is vital to prevent further job losses on top of the 7,500 plus the industry has already suffered," Morgan said.

The Musicians' Union (MU) also called for further investment, noting the changes will not help freelancers accessing the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

SEISS income support will double, Rishi Sunak has announced, but this is not enough, say the MU.

"The UK’s music industry is a viable industry, which the Government’s Covid-19 restrictions are keeping closed. They now have a responsibility to look after this industry, and the musicians and freelancers who make it the envy of the world."