Equity

Andy Burnham oversaw huge investment in the arts when he was Secretary of State for Culture. Ahead of this week's Budget, his Chancellor, John Healey, must match that ambition if the government is serious about delivering "growth in every postcode". Read Equity make the case: tinyurl.com/4hebf7d2

Members are advised to seek caution in relation to a recent video game casting or any video game casting that involves broad AI terms and full assignment of rights. For the full advice check out our website: equity.org.uk/news/2026/urgent-information-on-a-recent-video-game-casting

We asked thousands of Equity members about their work. The results reveal the precarity of the creative workforce - and the need to ORGANISE against this. Read the full results: www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-survey-shows-precarity-of-creative-workforce

Work as a supporting artist? We want to hear about it. Take our survey to tell us about your experience working outside London. Your feedback will help us win better pay and conditions for supporting artists. Complete the survey online: www.equity.org.uk/supporting-artist-survey

Calling performers and stage management: Have you worked in panto at Goole Junction? Equity would like to hear of your experience. Please contact Equity in confidence at northeastengland@equity.org.uk

“A significant blow” for audio artists: Equity responds to BBC closing linear broadcast services for Radio 4 Extra, BBC Three, and BBC Scotland. Read our full response: www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/bbc-closures-a-significant-blow-for-audio-artists

We're excited to announce our brand new partnership, a UK first for fringe festivals, that builds on Brighton Fringe’s existing work to empower artists and venues. Full details + how to get involved if you're a producer: tinyurl.com/Equity-BrightonFringe

Vote now in the Equity Rule Change Referendum 🗳️ You should have received an online voting link from Civica by email. Contact elections@equity.org.uk if you haven't received your link. Voting closes on 2 December (12 noon).

“Outrageous” - Equity responds to BBC proposal to stop recording The Archers in Birmingham. We will support cast members to fight the move at every step. https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-opposes-the-archers-birmingham-axe

Work in roleplay? Share your experiences in our survey to help us win better pay & conditions. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/DesignPageV2.aspx?subpage=design&token=2272639904724114a8e765f59c3f3f66&id=ttW0z_e-w02jmzO9BlD7DNx41H4vg0lPvJoD5uo8-TNUNkpSQzlXTUVTT0ZEOVlaN1lGU0xMMVVETi4u

Congratulations to this year’s Student and Young Member Bursary Award winners! Samuela Noumtchuet Esther Ugiri Reefeh Sumaili Gianfranco Stellitano The Student and Young Member Bursaries are made possible through the generous contributions of Equity Life Members.

Following today's speech by Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, in which she pledged to “tackle abusive and non-consensual images”, we are calling for the government to introduce personality rights. www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-calls-on-culture-secretary-to-back-personality-rights

We welcome announcements in today’s Chancellor’s speech, including the reinstatement of the Union Learning Fund which will benefit so many working people with skills for the future. https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/john-healeys-speech-shows-trade-unions-are-back

A year since AI tool Tilly Norwood ‘debuted’, it’s clearer than ever that performers need protections from AI exploitation.

Last week we wrote to the Welsh Government raising concerns about the pause to the surgical pathway. This intervention reflects union policy, with members overwhelmingly backing a motion to support members accessing gender-affirming care at our 2025 conference. https://tinyurl.com/54ts5u86

Are you a Performing Arts student but not yet an Equity member? Find out more about joining Equity – Your Trade Union – from £3.60 a month at the link in our bio. Get support, learn about the entertainment industry and join a community changing the industry and education for the better.

End the siege of Cuba ✊ We're proud to support the POA's motion at TUC Congress, calling on the UK government to oppose the extra territorial application of US sanctions, reject any US military intervention against Cuba and provide humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people.

“We must imagine the future that our machines cannot” At TUC Congress, delegates unanimously backed our call for new personality rights to protect everyone from unwanted AI-generated digital replicas. Head to our website via the link in our bio for the full speech

“I think there’s a a real reason for hope", @equityuk.bsky.social general secretary Paul W Fleming said of Andy Burnham's government. Read our full interview from #TUC26 👇

Puppeteers UK want to hear from all puppetry people in the UK. Head to forms.gle/ZCMoz8DoNH1t... to fill in their sector survey to help them get an overview of the current state of the puppetry sector, its health, and the current types of work people are doing.

The cancellation of two prominent LGBTQIA+ shows from BBC schedules is concerning. It impacts work opportunities for drag performers and restricts the audience exposure to LGBTQIA+ culture. BBC should serve all audiences and reflect the whole of the UK.

Sign our letter of No Confidence in Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, highlighting his failure to produce an arts policy and the perilous state of arts funding across Northern Ireland. www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/save-the-arts-letter-of-no-confidence-in-communities-minister-gordon-lyons

There’s still time to sign our open letter calling for improvements to designers’ fees, IP, royalties and copyright ahead of our negotiations with SOLT and with UK Theatre which are coming up this month. And look out for details of our conference for creatives next month - lots going on!

Never give up! A year after Manchester Pride collapsed leaving creatives unpaid, Equity's campaigning has paid off. Manchester City Council is providing £15k from the 'social action pot', made up of contributions from businesses. It's about 20% of the £70k unpaid fees for 50+ performers.

Pride but make it unionised ✊ Last weekend's Manchester Village Pride was one of the first ever Pride events to use a union agreement. It guarantees pay, safety standards and protections against bullying and harassment for performers. If you need support get in touch: equity.org.uk/contact-us

There's no place for discrimination in our industry. Philip's case shows we need to guard against a culture of censorship.

SIGN NOW ✍️ Support Crystal Maze Masters’ fight for union recognition and decent pay:www.equity.org.uk/campaigns-policy/petition-recognise-equity-at-the-crystal-maze-live-experience

Our new Liturgical Singers code sets out what good practice in the sector looks like and the standards liturgical singers should be able to expect at work. Check it out: www.equity.org.uk/advice-and-support/sector-specific-advice/singers-hub/equity-liturgical-singers-code-of-practice

Equity stands with Actors' Equity and the Disneyland Entertainment cast members! Show your solidarity by signing their petition here: tinyurl.com/2p3a2em8

Generative AI poses an existential threat to creators. Fairness and transparency must be at the heart of the UK's approach to AI. Help our mission by signing our petition ⬇️ https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/765199

Equity has said it is “grossly unfair” that performers have been left unpaid, as the operators of Leicester Comedy Festival file for insolvency. www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-responds-to-leicester-comedy-festival-operator-filing-for-insolvency

Following a 98% yes vote on a turn out of 75% in our ballot, a new three-year agreement with SOLT has been approved, securing meaningful improvements for performers and stage management across the West End. https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2026/equity-members-accept-new-three-year-west-end-agreement

If you were waiting for a sign to vote in the West End ballot - this is it! There's only 24 hours left to make your voice heard. If you've worked in the West End in the last three years VOTE NOW.

"Up to 350 people could be owed money" We caught up with BBC Radio Leicester following the news that The Big Difference Company, have filed a serious incident report to the Charity Commission.

Andy Burnham's cabinet who? Full story: tinyurl.com/5n7c77fs

⏰ Your 1 week warning! Vote now before your chance to have your say on the future of your pay, terms and conditions in the West End runs out. If you're eligible, check your email for details and cast your vote before the deadline on 29 July (9am).

Our General Secretary Paul W Fleming has today called on Andy Burnham's new government to recognise the arts as a "critical economic sector". Read more in The Stage: tinyurl.com/y39cwuhf

Worked in the West End in the last three years? Check your emails and vote now to improve the terms of your next contract! Share this post and spread the word. Ballot closes 29 July.

Our latest Honorary Life Member Daniel York Loh, Chair of Equity’s Race Equality Committee, on why trade unions are the best invention in the history of industry. “It’s about collective bravery and collective solidarity and that’s an incredible thing.”

Owed money by Leicester Comedy Festival? We've secured full payment for a number of members but believe there are those yet to get in touch. In light of the news that the festival's parent company are in financial difficulty, we urge members to get in touch ASAP with Ian at imanborde@equity.org.uk

Our response to the news that Oldham Coliseum won't now open until 2027. The historic venue has been shut for refurbishment since being saved from closure in 2024, following a community campaign that Equity was proud to be part of. Full story: tinyurl.com/OldhamC-2027