The Live Comedy Association (LCA) has announced it has received backing from over 60 MPs who have supported the call for government to recognise grassroots live comedy within creative industries and cultural policy alongside grassroots live music. Supportive MPs include former Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn MP, Hannah Spencer MP (Green spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport), Richard Quigley MP (recently appointed Chair of the Comedy All-Party Parliamentary Group), Alex Cole-Hamilton MP (leader of Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Andrew Griifth MP (Shadow Chancellor).
Over 45 MPs have signed a joint letter to the Culture Secretary urging the government to act, and a further 16 MPs have supported the campaign but are unable to sign the letter due to Parliamentary protocol. The letter and full list of signatories can be seen by visiting https://livecomedyassociation.co.uk/mpletterjune2026
The LCA first raised the issue of support for grassroots live comedy back in 2020 when the membership organisation successfully lobbied for live comedy to be included in financial support during the Covid pandemic. Since then the organisation has met with MPs and civil servants to discuss on-going support, most recently when the LCA hosted an event at the Houses of Parliament in June 2026, aimed at building political support for grassroots comedy. The event was hosted by the then Cabinet member Liz Kendall MP, who has also signed the letter.
The letter sent today urges the government to:
• Recognise grassroots live comedy within creative industries and cultural policy alongside grassroots live music
• Include the sector in discussions around VAT on tickets, business rates reform and support for freelancers
• Support independent research into the size, economic contribution and regional distribution of the live comedy sector
• Explore extending the live music arena levy model to include live comedy
• Consider undertaking a fan-led review of grassroots live comedy and its long-term sustainability
Jessica Toomey, Chair of the LCA, said “the support we are receiving from politicians from across the political spectrum is fantastic and the timing of the publication of this letter is crucial. Today MPs return to Westminster after the summer recess and our campaign continues to get grassroots live comedy officially recognised alongside live music.
We publish this letter just as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has ended. The Fringe began with Edinburgh Comedy Awards producer Nica Burns also calling for live comedy to be recognised by government and ended with Richard Gadd (writer and star of global Netflix show Baby Reindeer) saying “it’s high time government acknowledges comedy”. We are delighted to receive support from across our sector, alongside MPs, and to have led the campaign on behalf of our members for the last 6 years. We will continue to be a credible voice, year-round, to get the support we deserve.”
The letter says “grassroots live comedy is a vital part of the UK’s creative industries. It supports performers, writers, promoters, festivals and venues in every region of the country, while also contributing significantly to local economies, hospitality and town and city centre nightlife. Crucially, it provides the development pipeline for the next generation of British comedic talent.
Despite this, grassroots live comedy has historically received limited recognition within national cultural and creative industries policy. At a time when venues, promoters, festivals and freelancers are facing rising costs and increasing financial pressures, there is growing concern about the long-term sustainability of the sector.
We therefore support the work of the Live Comedy Association in calling for greater recognition and targeted support for grassroots live comedy.”
The Live Comedy Association is a not for profit, Community Interest Company formed in 2020 and is supported by a board of Directors and an Advisory Panel made up of people working in the industry. Members include comedians, comedy clubs, promoters, venues, festivals and other people who rely on live comedy to earn their living.
