Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support grassroots comedy professionals and businesses outside London.

The government recognises the vital role of grassroots live comedy and is working to support the sector. Arts Council England (ACE) awarded a £45,000 grant in October 2026 to the Live Comedy Association (LCA) for a 10-month support programme to benefit the sector, including grassroots organisations. Officials are also advising on the LCA’s annual survey. Officials are in regular contact with the Comedy Representation and Artform Trust (CRAFT) on policy issues.

In May, ACE delivered a dedicated funding information session to help comedy organisations and artists, including those working at grassroots level, access available funding.

DCMS has also supported live comedy by providing a one-off £7 million grant to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (EFFS) for 2024 to 2026. As one of the world’s largest live comedy and arts festivals, funding has supported a new permanent home for the Society, a digital transformation project, and an artist support fund, ‘Keep it Fringe Fund’ (KIFF). KIFF has helped UK artists develop and perform work at the Fringe, including many that may otherwise have been unable to take part.

Self-employed comedy workers will also benefit from the work of the recently appointed Freelance Champions.