Reacting to the Culture and Trade Departments' announcement of the new members of the Creative Industries Council, Equity has slammed the lack of worker representation on the government advisory body, calling it a “damaging snub” to creative professionals throughout the sector and warning the absence "hamstrings the government’s own growth plans”.
Equity’s General Secretary Paul W Fleming remarked: “Yet again, the government hamstrings its own growth plans by ignoring a key part of the creative industries – the workforce that powers this vital sector.”
With over 40 members on the Council, only one can ostensibly be said to represent worker voices, and the important Freelance Champion role is still yet to be filled, months after it was agreed as a vital position.
Fleming continued: “The lack of worker representation is a damaging snub to creatives who power this industry and leaves a void in government decision making. The failure to fill the Freelance Champion role again speaks volumes about the priorities and oversights of this government when it comes to the reality of the creative sector, where the vast majority of workers are freelance.
“We urge the government to consult with Equity and our sister creative unions on delivering its industrial strategy and our door will always be open.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, stated the Council “is vital to ensuring that we are effectively understanding and addressing the needs of the sector.” Equity questions whether it can meet this ambition without union or workforce representation and calls for this oversight to be addressed.
