Equity, the union for performers and creatives, has released the findings from a new member survey that reveals the majority of workers are concerned they will be unable to meet essential costs due to the cost-of-living crisis.
They surveyed 306 members and found that 19% think they will have to leave the industry as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Additionally, 60% are worried about meeting essential costs and 41% feel negative about work prospects in the next year.
One member surveyed said: “I don’t eat and my health has declined. I’ve even turned the gas off to my own home at stopcock as I can’t afford it. I sold my TV as I can’t afford a TV license. I don’t live, I exist.”
There is concern that this will disproportionately affect marginalised performers with 89% of those surveyed thinking it will force working class artists out of the industry. Moreover, 65% think it will harm disadvantaged groups in the industry such as women, Black, and disabled performers.
Equity has also analysed Government data released in February, which showed that Black and young people have been leaving the industry in high numbers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. They compared Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport workforce estimates for January to December 2019 and October 2020 to September 2021. In that time the number of young people (16-24) in the industry has fallen by 19% and the number of Black people has fallen by 39%.
Equity’s general secretary Paul W Fleming said: “Our survey findings confirm that the cost-of-living crisis is a workforce crisis.”
“Equity’s members are tired of being told to be resilient—it’s time to collectively resist. Equity’s members deserve better from their Government. We demand it.”
Words by Cerys Gardner
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