Equity’s General Secretary, Paul W Fleming, commented on the Budget statement today saying:
This Budget began to recognise that the arts and entertainment are fundamental to future UK prosperity. We welcome the Chancellor’s support for tax reliefs, and investment in arts infrastructure.
But these come in the context of two decades of austerity in our industries. Local government has been forced to make arts cuts of over £1bn since 2010, with some bankrupt councils losing all of their arts funding.
The workforce bears the brunt of cuts through job losses, shuttered venues and strained public services.
The workforce bears the brunt of cuts through job losses, shuttered venues and strained public services.
Those who fall through the gaps can no longer rely on a safety net – as the Universal Credit Minimum Income Floor pushes Equity members into financial hardship or out of the industry.
Our members are clear; they want to see a pay rise, not tax cuts which favour the wealthy at the expense of the public good. The government should invest available funds in a roadmap to restore the arts in every part of the UK.
Regardless of what the Chancellor has in his red box, Equity will continue to fight and win for our members by building union power.
