Equity

Today is World Puppetry Day! Equity's Puppeteer's Network brings puppeteers together to gain greater recognition for their skills and to support on work issues. Our next meeting is 20 April, 2pm, in person in London or online. Email puppeteers@equity.org.uk if you'd like to know more about the network or come along. #WPD2026

👉 NEW DATE: TUESDAY 31 MARCH - 3PM Join us at Underbelly Boulevard Soho for the launch of our London Nightlife Network! We'll dig deep into the shocking results of our recent pay audit and discuss the first steps in building a campaign for long-overdue increases. There are only a few tickets left - get yours now. tinyurl.com/2wj7xw3m Please note: the date and venue for this event has changed from the original listing.

Ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, we're calling for Senedd candidates across Wales to recognise culture is work - and to treat it as essential infrastructure. The call comes as our new research reveals that arts funding has fallen by 46% in Wales since 2010. equity.org.uk/news/2026/equi…

Back a Scottish Basic Income for Artists 👇 Ahead of May's Scottish parliament elections, we're calling for Holyrood candidates to back a Scottish Basic Income for Artists, as our new research reveals that arts funding has dropped by 18% in Scotland since 2010. equity.org.uk/campaigns-poli…

🚨Universal access to the arts is disappearing 🚨 Our new research finds local government arts funding has plummeted 55% across Britain since 2010, down from £1.19 billion to just £539 million in 2024-25. Read the full story 👇 equity.org.uk/news/2026/cut-…

"Selling out to the UK’s creative industries to benefit US tech companies would’ve been an act of national self-sabotage." Our General Secretary responds to the AI and Copyright report announced by today by the Government, praising the decision to move away from 'opt-out' exception for AI-training. Read the full story: equity.org.uk/news/2026/equi…

Calling all wrestlers! Join the Equity Wrestlers' Network open meeting to talk pay, terms and conditions and training institutions. 18 March, 6.30pm In person in London or online equity.org.uk/get-involved/e… Email: wrestling@equity.org.uk to come along

If you're self employed, how you file your tax records could change from this April 🔢 Watch Equity Treasurer David John share what Making Tax Digital could mean for you 👉 If you have reported a turnover of £50,000 or more from self-employment and/or property income in your 2024/25 tax return, you will be required to use Making Tax Digital from April 2026. Read our advice: equity.org.uk/advice-and-sup… Making Tax Digital includes a mandatory requirement to use an HMRC approved software to record and submit your income and expenditure - email your MP asking them to call on the government to provide a free software option for those who can't afford it: equity.eaction.org.uk/MakingTaxDigit… If you're an Equity member and have any questions get in touch with our Social Security and Tax team on helpline@equity.org.uk.

“Theatre is about its workforce" Equity has responded to a report from the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre which shows the West End generated £1.08 billion in revenue and an increase in audiences last year. 👇 equity.org.uk/news/2026/unio…

📣Equity London Nightlife Open Meeting📣 📅Tuesday 24th March 3pm-5pm 📍Location: Phoenix Arts Club, WC2H 8BU 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼 In response to the shifting landscape of London’s nightlife, we’re bringing together gigging nightlife performers to get organised as a collective workforce. There will be a panel discussion and a free drink in the bar after the meeting. Join us as we break down the results of the London Nightlife Pay Audit and build a campaign for a long-overdue pay increase for our workforce. It’s time to stop waiting for a pay rise and start winning one. This meeting is open to members and non-members.

💥 Last chance to take our panto survey. If you’ve worked in pantomime in the last 12 months as a performer, stage manager or in the creative team — whether you're an Equity member or not — we want to hear from you. . Your experiences help shine a light on poor and unlawful working practices, hold employers to account and measure improvements across the sector. ⏳ The survey closes at the end of this week - take it now! Take part: tinyurl.com/PantoSurvey2026 or via the link in our bio.

On International Women's Day we're remembering the words of Dame Sybil Thorndike, actor and Equity foundational figure, who fought for better pay and conditions for her fellow performers. Nearly 100 years later our fight goes on. Women are disproportionately affected by many of the issues facing those working in the performing arts and entertainment, such as sexual harassment, low pay, and age discrimination. Together Equity members are fighting to change this. Find advice and resources in our Equity for Women toolkit, created by Equity's Women's Committee: equity.org.uk/advice-and-sup… #IWD #IWD2026

What are the barriers to entering the performing arts? Equity President Lynda Rooke talks about the importance of education and prohibitive costs of an arts career. We're working to increase working-class representation. Learn more in our class network's manifesto equity.org.uk/campaigns-poli…

⚠️ CLOSURE OF REGAN MANAGEMENT Equity understands that Cardiff-based agency Regan Management is due to close. If you are affected and require advice on your situation, contact us at agents@equity.org.uk. If your agency closes down you are free to move to a new agency and make appropriate payment arrangements for current or existing jobs. Always ensure you review the terms of your individual agency contract carefully.

Latest update: We have engaged in positive discussions with vendors who were making these changes and have reached an amicable compromise, but Equity continues to push our guidance and best practice for any video games work.

Attempts by some videogames vendors to delay buyout payments to performers are unacceptable. Pay and conditions in videogames are already lagging behind the rest of the industry and Equity is working to raise standards, not roll them back. Read our statement equity.org.uk/news/2026/vide…

Upcoming events for members and non-members living in Scotland 👇 For more info contact scotland@equity.org.uk.

It's official - Equity members are 🔥🔥🔥 Thank you to the awesome @DdraigWilliams for the fire demo at our recent political education weekend 🔥

We're boycotting the BBC charter survey and we think you should too. The BBC charter will set out the objectives and purposes, as well as how it's governed and regulated for the next ten years. Yet the consultation survey being conducted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is how the majority of people will feed into the consolation, is unfit for purpose. ➡️ Instead, we encourage members to share their views directly with DCMS by email. 📧 bbccharterreview@dcms.gov.uk Meaningful engagement with the future of the BBC must go beyond a limited consultation format. Your voice matters, and how you use it matters too. Find out more about our vision for the BBC and why we're boycotting the survey on our website.

We’ve heard reports of a producer offering to make free showreel footage and inviting actors to their home address for this purpose. Physical auditions, meetings and similar should always be held in accessible, appropriate and recognised work spaces. Do not meet in anyone’s home or alone in a hotel room. Castings and auditions advice 👇 equity.org.uk/advice-and-sup…