Parliamentarians took the opportunity to meet Equity officials, members and fellow creative unions at the Broadcasting, Entertainment and Arts Unions (BEAU) reception in the first week of December.
The event, which took place on the banks of the Thames on parliament’s famous Terrace, centred on the theme of ‘access to the arts’. Access – or the lack of it – is an issue of concern to all the BEAU unions (formerly the Federation of Entertainment Unions, FEU), which comprises Equity, Bectu, Musicians Union, NUJ and Writers’ Guild. Adolescence writer Jack Thorne and Culture, Media and Sport Committee member Rupa Huq MP spoke to the assembled guests alongside union general secretaries.
Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming emphasised the importance of parliamentarian support for arts workers and the creative industries and explained that investment in the arts is good for all workers and the wider economy. Paul pointed to the economic catalytic effect experienced in constituencies across the UK, where for every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, another £1.40 is spent in nearby shops, restaurants and hotels. “The arts – like politics – cannot be the preserve of the elite, either for audiences or workers,” said Paul. “Investment and access determine whose stories are told, in what way and shape the success of our industries. While barriers remain for working class people to get into the arts, there’s also the question of being able to sustain a career in parts of the industry where pay is appalling and work is precarious.”
Continuing the theme of access, the writer of award-wining Netflix series Adolescence, Jack Thorne, explained how important investment is in early career and talent development. He gave the example of Michaela Coel who wrote Chewing Gum Dreams, first funded with a small grant for an Edinburgh Fringe show, then picked up by the National Theatre with some small funding, which went on to be a Channel 4 series under the title Chewing Gum and launched a broader successful career. “That story of finding and nurturing talent with project funding is repeated. You don’t always get results for the first projects that are funded, but they allow creatives to hone their craft and enter the industry, it’s so important”, explained Jack.
NUJ general secretary Laura Davison spoke of the importance of independent and well-funded public service broadcasting, especially for journalism and the ability to hold power to account. Laura explained NUJ members’ dispute with Scottish broadcaster STV where an industrial action ballot was called in response to the company’s plans to amalgamate news programmes and make compulsory redundancies.
Rupa Huq MP, the longest serving member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, spoke of the upcoming BBC Charter renewal process. She said while the BBC doesn’t always get it right, it must be protected from political interference and serve audiences.
The event also celebrated the launch of the new BEAU APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) which is chaired by Claire Hanna MP.
