Public Campaign for the Arts – an advocacy body formed in 2020 – has written to culture secretary Nadine Dorries, to “express our deep concern about the impact the Omicron variant is having on our arts and culture sector”.

The letter, which the organisation is urging the public to sign, states: “An emergency relief fund is urgently required for individuals and businesses to endure the sudden, unexpected collapse of income they are now experiencing, at what is typically the busiest time of the year for live arts.”