Paying Creatives a Living Wage Could Unlock £42 Million Boost for UK Economy

13 hours ago7 min read2 comments

Behind the glamour of sold-out arena tours lies a stark reality for the UK's creative backbone—sound engineers, session musicians, and road crews are often trapped in financial precarity. A new economic study reveals that ending this struggle is not only an ethical necessity but a powerful economic catalyst, with the potential to add £42 million to the UK economy.The analysis, inspired by a successful Irish model, demonstrates that securing a living wage for artists and technicians unlocks greater investment in their craft, fosters creative risk-taking, and amplifies their contribution as consumers and taxpayers. Envision a lighting designer freed from side hustles, able to purchase new equipment that elevates a live show, or a producer opting to work with experimental artists instead of taking purely commercial jobs.This financial stability creates a multiplier effect, revitalising local businesses from music shops and studios to grassroots venues. The prevailing culture of unpaid internships and poverty wages is akin to an orchestra playing with missing sections—the melody persists, but the richness and potential are lost.With the UK's music industry being a cornerstone of its global cultural influence, from legendary acts to contemporary genres, the talent pipeline is jeopardised if emerging creators cannot afford to enter the field. Guaranteeing a living wage is the essential soundcheck before a historic performance; it is the fundamental investment required for a sector that not only defines a nation's cultural identity but also drives its future economic prosperity.

#living wage

#creatives

#UK economy

#music industry

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