Elaine Loughlin: The entertainment sector has been badly failed in the reopening rush

Some view Catherine Martin as a weak minister and others say she has been blocked by political rivals – but it is those working in the arts sector who have suffered as a result

Elaine Loughlin: While Ms Martin has been a strong public supporter of those involved in the arts and music industries, the reality is they have consistently been the sector least prioritised since the outbreak of Covid-19.

In the dying days of August, a curious thing happened.

An employers' lobby group took action. Now, there is nothing unusual in that, but what was remarkable in this instance was that instead of exerting pressure on a Government minister, they were fighting on her behalf.