Forcing arts groups to applaud the government to access grants seems like economic blackmail

Ministers have once again ended up looking crass, insensitive and, worst of all, stupid, writes James Moore

The culture industry, an important economic sector and export earner, is on its knees (PA)

It appears that the arts have been left by the government in the position of a mugging victim ordered by their assailant to say thank you for having had all their money stolen after taking a brutal beating.

Ministers’ abject handling of the coronavirus crisis has left this important economic sector and export earner on its knees.

Many venues, ranging from sweaty clubs that give bands or comedians their first chance to perform live, to theatres, all the way up to posh concert halls, have been shuttered since the first lockdown was announced, with little chance of reopening for the foreseeable future.