BOLTON musician Badly Drawn Boy has accused the Government of leaving the music industry "last in the queue" after it announced the details of its new jobs retention scheme.

Last week, Rishi Sunak announced the government will cover almost a quarter of pay for workers in “viable” jobs for the next six months, as the chancellor outlined plans that will take over from the furlough scheme when it finishes at the end of October.

But the plans have been criticised after failing to protect workers in hard-hit industries such as those in the live music sector that are still shut down as a result of Covid-19.

Appearing on BBC's Newsnight programme, Badly Drawn Boy, whose real name is Damon Gough, said: "It seems, as usual, the music industry is left at the bottom of the pile when it comes to getting help.

"I would like to see a bit more empathy from the government and appreciation and recognition that £112 billion was generated by the creative industries in 2018.

"Even a small portion of that would sustain some of the small venues and the employees who work in them."

Gough, who won the Mercury Music Prize in 2000 with his debut album, The Hour of Bewilderbeast, said it was left to music fans and musicians to donate to venues that were at risk.

"There are so many people in the creative industries that need help at this time," he said. "To use the word 'viable' is ridiculous - it means nothing. All these jobs are viable because they will come back.

"It is about helping these people for another few months. The virus will not be their forever, we are going to come through it and there will be gigs again.

"I have helped several small venues throughout the last six months to stay alive. Musicians are resourceful and that is what the government are relying on - that we'll just find other things to do."

Gough, 50, who grew up in Breightmet, said music made a huge difference to people's lives.

He added: "Go back to Live Aid. What Bob Geldof did was tackle something the government had failed to grasp was an issue.

"Music time and again over the last 40 years has come to the rescue of people when they are in need and now it seems we are last in the queue again."