Reports are circulating that the Department for Children, Schools and Families has announced that a public consultation on the current regulations relating to children and the entertainment industry will be launced in the autumn.

However, The Stage reports that a spokesperson for the Department describes the current status of the proposal as a “work in progress”.

The last time a review took place was in 1968. Since then, industry practice has moved on, and other regulations have had an inpact on the original rules. A review would therefore be helpful, but given the typical legislative timetable, may not bear fruit for many months.