Equity has congratulated Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister and commented on the “many substantive issues relating to the arts and entertainment industries” that the new administration will have to wrestle with.
While highlighting BBC Charter renewal, AI, arts funding and the creative industries industrial strategy, Equity says that culture is not simply a ‘ministry for fun’. Instead, the union – which represents performers and creative practitioners across a multitude of disciplines – points out that the arts are “critical economic sectors with mature industrial frameworks.”
Paul W. Fleming, Equity General Secretary, commenting on the appointment of the Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham MP as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said: “Following the kissing of hands today, we congratulate Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister.”
“As it settles into office, his new administration will encounter many substantive issues to wrestle with relating to the arts and entertainment industries, whether BBC Charter Renewal, regulation of artificial intelligence, developing the creative industries industrial strategy, or tackling the crisis in arts funding. Alongside these sectoral issues, every Equity member is looking to a new administration to deliver meaningful changes on workers’ rights, insourcing, sectoral bargaining, and growth in every postcode.”
“It is vital that whoever is driving arts and entertainment policy going forward recognises that our industries are critical economic sectors with mature industrial frameworks. They are fundamental to rebalancing our economy and driving growth from every tier of government, as well as UK exports, and soft power. This is not simply a ‘ministry for fun’, but one with a vital part to play in the future success of every part of the UK.”
