Treasury insures shows will go on

IN the toughest of times, the UK Treasury has really risen to the Covid challenge.

Furlough, funding for the self-employed, bounceback loans – Ministers have been innovative in their thinking and officials have ensured that schemes actually work, getting applications processed and money out to people and businesses who need it.

On Friday, we saw another innovative new scheme – government insurance for live events. Britain has a brilliant events sector and it has been annihilated under Covid. But as the country opens up, getting insurance in case a festival, conference or concert is called off has been really hard.

This £750 million guarantee from government will make a massive difference. We moan when governments get things wrong, but this is a brilliant idea. Well done.