I know that the restrictions introduced in England from today are causing huge anxiety for many sectors covered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which continue to be some of the hardest hit by covid. Of course, these restrictions will not continue a day longer than is necessary, and we have worked closely to ensure that covid-secure venues are able to remain open where work is taking place. Unlike in March, elite sport including football, as well as theatres, and film and TV production, will all continue behind closed doors. I also know, though, that the new restrictions will badly affect jobs and businesses, which is why we have extended our multi-billion pound furlough scheme and increased support for the self-employed. In addition, over £500 million has already been allocated from the cultural recovery fund, and we are working to finalise the sports package with the Treasury.

I know the challenges that all sports are facing. That is why we have prioritised sports behind closed doors, which will continue through the lockdown. In addition, we are working with the Treasury on what further support may be necessary.

I share my hon. Friend's desire for that to happen, and I know what a champion of Wicksteed Park he is. As he will know, the park received almost £250,000 from the heritage emergency fund in June and almost £250,000 from the culture recovery fund in October; that was on top of other awards totalling £2.7 million over the past couple of years.

The hon. Lady raises a very important point. There are three main elements to it. First, I very much hope that socially distanced performances will be able to return once we are through this lockdown period. Secondly, we are providing support throughout the covid crisis through the culture recovery fund, and hundreds of millions of pounds have gone to that sector. Thirdly, I very much want to give that date for return. At the moment, however, it is very difficult to give an accurate date, given the wider context.

As the hon. Lady will know, we sought to have a regionally based approach and that was working. Ultimately, however, we could not sustain it so we had to have this period of lockdown. I am hopeful and confident that once that period of lockdown ends, those productions will be able to continue.

I know that all those areas in my hon. Friend's constituency struggle with coverage. That is why we agreed a £1 billion shared rural network deal with operators that will see them collectively increase mobile coverage throughout the United Kingdom to 95% by 2025.

I understand the many challenges faced by freelancers and I hear about this every day in my capacity as Culture Secretary. Across the economy, 66% of freelancers can benefit from the Treasury scheme, which has been increased again by the Chancellor.

It is a cause of great regret that these restrictions had to be imposed as they are necessary to control the virus. However, I am working closely with other Ministers across Government to ensure those places will be at the front of the queue to return when the restrictions expire.

We are looking at replacement funds from EU funding to ensure they benefit the whole of the United Kingdom, with discussions ongoing with the Treasury. In addition, we have £120 million allocated for the festival of the UK in 2022, more than £10 million of which will go to Scotland.

We did not want the BBC to do this, but we welcome that at least the most vulnerable are covered and will continue to get support.