Data from UK government's Events Research Programme to be published "shortly"

The UK government are yet to publicly share results from events including the Download Festival Pilot, a club night in Liverpool and more as part of the Events Research Programme, which has led to UK festivals including Kendal Calling and Truck Festival pulling the plug on this year's events.

After the live music and theatre industries launched legal action this week against the UK government to force the publication of the Events Research Programme data, a spokesperson for Boris Johnson has told The Guardian that the findings will be shared "shortly".

The spokesperson said, "These pilots provide real-life data so we can fully understand any benefits, problems or challenges with mass events."

On why the data hasn't been shared yet, the spokesperson added, "We’re assessing the evidence as we speak."

The findings of the Events Research Programme are expected to advise event organisers on issues including social distancing and ventilation within indoor spaces.

Addressing the lack of data from the ERP, Music Venue Trust's Mark Davyd wrote in a statement, "Without the data and evidence from this programme, it is not possible to plan safe events that respond to the latest government position of creating Covid secure venues and gigs. The government has declined to release that information, has not provided a justifiable reason for the refusal to release, and cannot, therefore, engage with the sector to work on risk mitigations that might be required based on the contents of the report."

He added, "The ball is firmly in the government's court; it is their refusal to work with the cultural sector that has resulted in this action."