[UK] Nearly half of arts freelancers earn below living wage

Almost half of freelance theatre workers in the UK are earning less than the national living wage, according to new research, Arts Industry reports.

The report, published by Freelancers Make Theatre Work (FMTW) - compiled from the last of five annual surveys since the pandemic - shows that 44 per cent of freelancers over 21 working in arts and culture are earning below the £12.21 per hour national living wage.

The situation is reportedly impacting the mental wellbeing of many freelancers. The report showed that 39 per cent of those surveyed had experienced a worsening in their mental health in the last year.

“The data provided by thousands of respondents since 2020 presents a clear - and deeply concerning - picture of the situation in which UK arts freelancers find themselves,” FMTW volunteer and classical singer Mimi Doulton told Arts Industry. “Year-on-year, the responses have highlighted intensifying issues of low pay, inequality, and insecurity.

“The performing arts in the UK cannot survive without a thriving freelance workforce. It is time now for government, unions and arts organisations to act on this data and make urgently needed, fundamental changes to the entire industry’s working relationship with freelancers,” she said.

In the arts sector, there are currently an estimated 296,000 jobs, and 70% of the theatre workforce are freelancers. Arts and culture reportedly account for 1.1 per cent of the entire UK workforce, and the sector contributed £19.1bn to the UK economy in 2023. 

Of those surveyed, 32 per cent disclosed that more than half of their work was unpaid. This in an industry where job security is declining, and wages are decreasing as costs rise. Forty-eight per cent of freelancers do not have a pension plan.

The report also revealed that reports of bullying in the industry are rarely followed up.

FMTW’s survey was conducted in April and May. It found that the impact of low pay is being felt more severely now than at any time since the pandemic. The proportion of freelancers receiving less than the national living wage has risen by 10 per cent since the last survey.

Source: Arts Industry

(Quotes via original reporting)

Almost half of freelance theatre workers in the UK are earning less than the national living wage, according to new research, Arts Industry reports.

The report, published by Freelancers Make Theatre Work (FMTW) - compiled from the last of five annual surveys since the pandemic - shows that 44 per cent of freelancers over 21 working in arts and culture are earning below the £12.21 per hour national living wage.

The situation is reportedly impacting the mental wellbeing of many freelancers. The report showed that 39 per cent of those surveyed had experienced a worsening in their mental health in the last year.

“The data provided by thousands of respondents since 2020 presents a clear - and deeply concerning - picture of the situation in which UK arts freelancers find themselves,” FMTW volunteer and classical singer Mimi Doulton told Arts Industry. “Year-on-year, the responses have highlighted intensifying issues of low pay, inequality, and insecurity.

“The performing arts in the UK cannot survive without a thriving freelance workforce. It is time now for government, unions and arts organisations to act on this data and make urgently needed, fundamental changes to the entire industry’s working relationship with freelancers,” she said.

In the arts sector, there are currently an estimated 296,000 jobs, and 70% of the theatre workforce are freelancers. Arts and culture reportedly account for 1.1 per cent of the entire UK workforce, and the sector contributed £19.1bn to the UK economy in 2023. 

Of those surveyed, 32 per cent disclosed that more than half of their work was unpaid. This in an industry where job security is declining, and wages are decreasing as costs rise. Forty-eight per cent of freelancers do not have a pension plan.

The report also revealed that reports of bullying in the industry are rarely followed up.

FMTW’s survey was conducted in April and May. It found that the impact of low pay is being felt more severely now than at any time since the pandemic. The proportion of freelancers receiving less than the national living wage has risen by 10 per cent since the last survey.

Source: Arts Industry

(Quotes via original reporting)