According to a new study, less than 10% of individuals working in the film and television industry in the UK come from working-class backgrounds. This figure is the lowest seen in a decade. Additionally, the report showed that similar challenges exist in the music and performing arts sectors. Just 16% of professionals in these fields come from working-class communities, whereas close to 65% are from middle or upper-class backgrounds.
The study also highlights a lack of diversity in other areas of the entertainment industry. For instance, the data illustrates that 90% of those working in the arts are White, and almost 70% of individuals in managerial roles are men. Only 1% of these men are Black. Although class-based patterns are not new, the report presents evidence of a decline in working-class individuals making a living in this industry.
The UK government has responded to the report, stating that their aim is to “grow a creative sector with opportunities for all, creating new pathways into the industry through training and education.” Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour party, has also emphasized the importance of arts subjects, stating that they are of comparable value to sciences and humanities. He has proposed reforms to the school accountability framework to ensure that arts subjects receive equal consideration.
Class inequality in the arts has become a significant talking point in the UK over recent years. Garbage’s Shirley Manson recently spoke out about the domination of independently wealthy artists and the loss of musical diversity caused by a lack of funding for newcomers from working-class backgrounds. She called for urgent government intervention to address the issue, claiming that young musicians are being abused by the current system
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