Equity’s Class Network has responded to new research showing that working class representation in the creative industries is at the lowest level in a decade.
The research, conducted by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and presented by Channel 4 news, revealed that less than 10% of film and TV creatives are from working class backgrounds.
The research revealed that only 8% of creatives in TV and film are from working class backgrounds, whereas 60% are from middle- and upper-class backgrounds. Most of these jobs are based in London, which presents further barriers to working class participation.
Commenting, the Equity Class Network said: “This research reveals the scandalous lack of opportunities for working class creatives in film and TV.
“We cannot allow a situation where the creative arts are dominated by the privileged and wealthy. We are witnessing a lost generation of working class voices and talent.
“This situation stems from a crisis in arts education and years of underfunding of the arts. Without working class voices, film and TV will become increasingly bland and insipid – we will all lose out.
“To begin to address this we need a significant increase in funding for arts education, more specialist teachers in the arts and promotion of arts education organisations which support schools. This is why Equity has joined the ‘Arts Apocalypse’ campaign to save arts education.
“The Equity Class Network will continue to offer Equity members from working-class backgrounds practical help, resources, guidance and support in the workplace, and campaign on the issues affecting working-class artists.”
