The Live Comedy Association has sent an open letter to new Prime Minister asking for more official recognition and support for the live comedy sector.
Craft UK, which is also fighting for more support and recognition has also sent an open letter. You can read their letter here.
The LCA letter is as follows:
"The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
Thursday 23 July 2026
Dear Prime Minister
Congratulations on your appointment. We are writing to seek your support of the Live Comedy Association (LCA) and the wider UK grassroots live comedy sector. The LCA is the only membership organisation working on behalf of people working in live comedy. We were established in 2020 and have been working since to represent our 1500 members. Our main mission is to get the UK government to recognise grassroots live comedy as an essential part of the creative industries. We are today asking for your support to help us meet our mission.
Why is this important? Without recognition of grassroots live comedy we are frequently ignored in policy decisions. Earlier today you announced that pubs, clubs and live music venues are set to receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills. In our view there is little difference between a live music venue and a dedicated live comedy club and yet our comedy club members are not eligible for the business rates reduction. Both music and comedy venues support new and emerging talent, help build communities and contribute economically to the UK. We know from the survey report we published last year that the UK live comedy sector is worth over £1billion to the UK economy. We simply ask that you support the concept that where grassroots live music is mentioned in policies, government extends this to grassroots live music and comedy.
Our work is supported by a range of organisations and associates. Our board of directors are supported by the Advisory Panel, a group of 20 people with considerable experience of live comedy. We also work closely with Equity, Centre for Comedy Studies Research, Get Off Live Comedy and Comedy Support Act and recently met with colleagues from DCMS. We also have close working relationships with Music Venue Trust, BBC Radio 4, Night Time Industries Association and others who support our mission.
We are increasingly recognised as the voice for grassroots live comedy sector, and organisations are working with us to consult with our members and the wider live comedy sector. We have recently worked with PRS, Arts Council England and National Counter Terrorism Security Office.
We are passionate about the work of our sector and the impact we make. We would ask for an opportunity to discuss with you further how we might support your government agenda and facilitate conversations with our colleagues across the UK.
Yours sincerely
Jessica Toomey
David Elphick
Mark Boosey
Che Burnley
Paul Richardson
Liam Pape
Kate Lennon
Directors of the Live Comedy Association CIC"
