Received from: MU
Merged into composite 06
The UK’s arts and culture sector is facing a perfect storm. Funding cuts, rising touring costs and the cost-of-living crisis are threatening the future of the UK’s world-renowned orchestras and other arts organisations.
Successive Conservative governments have overseen a 46 per cent real-terms cut to arts funding since 2010, which has had a direct impact on musicians’ jobs and pay across the UK, at English National Opera, Northern Ballet and Welsh National Opera to name but a few.
For the first time since 1984, the MU has successfully balloted for industrial action several times in the past 12 months, demonstrating how serious the situation has become.
Our members’ livelihoods are on the line with our data showing that musicians, on average, make £20,000 a year. There is a real risk that many will leave the industry, which would have a devastating impact on the UK’s cultural ecosystem and economy.
Conference calls on the General Council to lobby the government to prioritise funding of the arts as part of their plan for economic growth.
Musicians’ Union