Equity is calling for increased investment in arts following the Spring Statement fiscal boost announced today (Tuesday 3 March) by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
The Statement confirms that borrowing this year is set to be the lowest in six years and is projected to fall below the G7 average for the first time in 22 years. It also confirms that the devolved nations will each receive an additional £1.8 billion in public spending.
The Chancellor needs to take her head out of the sand, and put her hand in her wallet
Paul W Fleming, Equity General Secretary
Responding to the news, Equity’s General Secretary, Paul W Fleming, said that more funding must be directed to the arts and that “artists and organisations alike are struggling with increasing costs”. He also announced two upcoming Equity campaigns on arts funding in the devolved nations this spring.
The creative industries contribute £124bn to the UK economy annually.
Paul W Fleming, Equity General Secretary, said:
“If the government is committed to growth, they’d be putting serious new revenue into the performing arts and entertainment industries to sustain and support its workforce. The Creative Industries Industrial Strategy remains the only plan of its type without allocated funds, and with artists and organisations alike struggling with increasing costs, the Chancellor needs to take her head out of the sand, and put her hand in her wallet.”
“The union is campaigning for increased arts funding for local government across the UK in the upcoming May elections. In Wales Equity is launching a 'culture is work' manifesto for the Senedd elections, calling for culture in Wales to be treated as essential infrastructure. In Scotland the union will campaign for the new Scottish government to introduce a universal basic income for artists, following the success of UBI for artists in the Republic of Ireland.”
