In the news
Leaders claim ‘victory’ as controversial Theatre Tax Relief plans revised
Industry leaders have claimed a “victory” after the government pulled back on plans to overhaul Theatre Tax Relief that would have “significantly hampered” the effectiveness of the scheme.
Equity responds to the Autumn Statement
We need a long-term plan to increase investment in the performing arts and entertainment industry, not short-term decisions for electoral gain.
Theatre Tax Relief Update: SOLT & UK Theatre Respond to Finance Bill
The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre welcomes the positive amendments, improvements and clarity in today’s Finance Bill.
Cornwall-based creatives call for more arts funding in the region
Two Cornish theatre companies are leading a campaign for more support for the region’s creative industries, warning creatives there are facing “frustration” and “anxiety”.
National insurance to be cut by 2 per cent within weeks – what it means for you
Class 2 national insurance is also being abolished for two million self employed workers, Mr Hunt announced in the Commons today.
Arts leader calls for boost to Welsh arts funding
Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre, Graeme Farrow, has warned of a “crisis” in the Welsh cultural sector and urged politicians to consider a 10% boost in arts funding to “steady the ships”.
Autumn statement: voters in Shakespeare’s birthplace count cost of Tory theatre
Usually boosted by tourist spending, Stratford-upon-Avon’s residents and businesses lament cost of living crisis
Most TV and film crews feel safety has been compromised, says survey
Survey honouring cameraman who died filming a car stunt in 2017 has found safety protocols and training need to improve
Omnibus Theatre calls on more venues to open doors to freelancers
Omnibus Theatre has called on more venues to create opportunities for freelancers following the success of a scheme the Clapham-based venue has run aimed at breaking down barriers between creatives and the organisation.
Covent Garden acts fear 400 years of street theatre at risk from council clampdown
Performers say traditional fun could end by Christmas as Westminster enforcement vote looms
Spotlight: industry debate ignites over who should pay for castings site
Calls from Equity to ban Spotlight from charging actors have ignited a sector-wide debate over who should foot the cost for the casting site and rival services such as the Mandy Network and StarNow.
Sector skills should be funded by employers, not ACE
The announcement last week (14 November) of the closure of Creative & Cultural Skills (CCSkills) was probably inevitable, writes Pauline Tambling, but it tells a deeper story.
Autumn Statement could make sector vision a reality
Creativity and culture should be front and centre of the government’s Autumn Statement on Wednesday, says Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive of Creative UK.
20 backstage roles UK-wide to be funded by £1.5m support scheme
Venues around the UK – including Chichester Festival Theatre and the Lyric Theatre Belfast – are partnering to offer a total of 20 people full-time backstage roles as part of a scheme that aims to stem the exodus of talent in the sector during the pandemic.
Shadow culture secretary: Tories have let creative industries down on AI
Shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire has claimed the creative industries have been “completely let down” by the Conservative Party, as she emphasised the threat artificial intelligence represents to the arts.