Musicians’ Union and artists call for universal basic income to support the arts

With gigs cancelled, performers have been left without any revenue stream

‘This work is tough for those in the industry when so many don’t have upfront funds to create their work,’ says the letter (Getty/iStock)

The Musicians’ Union and major artists have called on the government to introduce a universal basic income to support performers left unpaid during the coronavirus pandemic.

A letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak, signed by artists including The Libertines, Reverend and the Makers, The Subways, The Charlatans and Art Brut, says the policy would be “a genuine lifeline to those who desperately need it”.

They warn that with tours and other performances cancelled due to coronavirus, many have been left without an income, and that the insecurity of the sector will increasingly mean that working in arts is “open only to people from more privileged backgrounds who have family support to pursue their dreams”.

The government has pledged a £1.57bn bailout to the arts and heritage sectors, but the cash – which will largely go to venues and organisations – will still leave many people working in the sector out of pocket. While the furlough scheme and self-employment assistance covers many workers, others types of employment, including some of the most insecure “gig economy” work, has fallen through the cracks.

A universal basic income is a flat cash benefit paid to everyone whether they are in work or not, designed to provide a floor of economic security under the population. The policy has long been backed by the Green Party and has seen a surge in interest during the coronavirus pandemic as a way of protecting people losing work.

“Tours, gigs, events and performances have rightly been cancelled due to coronavirus. On top of that, a high proportion of artists and cultural professionals supplement their income with casual work in the exact same industries that have been hit by coronavirus, with many working part-time in hospitality. It is clear that lockdown has simply shone a light onto the way our industry operates with constant insecurity,” the letter says.

“This work is tough for those in the industry when so many don’t have upfront funds to create their work, or build and develop it. For many of us, a universal basic income would bridge a gap of seasonal work and tour, for others it would be a support in additional training.

“Working in culture has for too long been an option open only to people from more privileged backgrounds who have family support to pursue their dreams. If the UK is serious about being a fair and open society, then expressing this through access to the arts and the sharing of the resultant output is a powerful way of demonstrating that commitment.

“To build back better than before we must ensure that everyone has the financial security that a UBI can provide, and help ensure that we are supporting the creativity of diverse communities, and define our generation.”

Billy Lunn, the lead singer of rock band The Subways, who helped organise the letter, said: “Following an extended period over which grassroots venues and community centres all across the UK have been closing at an unprecedented scale, and all whilst the Conservative government has ostensibly praised UK artists as both economic and cultural global exports, the coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves of panic through the entire scope of the artistic community.”

Mr Lunn said that while campaigns to save venues had been largely successful, without support for the 210,000 performers, technicians, producers, protectors, promoters and stage hands behind the venues there would be no one to work in them.

He added: “We believe the government should extend universal basic income to those working within the arts, which extends not only to those who perform on the stages, but also to those without whom the show could never even come to fruition: the technicians, the producers, the directors, the promoters, the stage-hands — all of whom make up the 210,000 jobs in the arts sector.

“At a time when it is the arts that are getting us all through the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic with our sense of purpose of being intact, we must therefore be there for the arts when they need us the most.”

Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party said: “It is vitally important that we support our artists, musicians and other performers who have kept spirits up with performances throughout the lockdown, despite often being worried about their own precarious financial situations.

“We have a history of undervaluing the entire arts and heritage sectors and those who work in them – both performing and behind the scenes.

“The Green Party has been campaigning for many years for a UBI. As the country recovers from the pandemic, we need support for this like never before. But particularly it’s people with insecure incomes who need it the most and this includes people who add value to all our lives with the work they do to entertain and inspire us.”

The letter was signed by: Amelia Womack (Green Party deputy leader), The Subways, The Charlatans, the Musicians Union, Rachel Parris, Art Brut, Jesus Jones, Bang Bang Romeo, Reverend and the Makers, Bernard Butler, The Libertines, Honeyblood, Personal Best, Spector, Ladybird, Potent Whisper, Saint Agnes, Polly James (Radio X), Lliana Bird (ex-Radio X/co-founder of Choose Love), Rowena Alice (Riot Diet), Boogaloo Radio, Alcopop Records, Shame, CATBEAR, Sean McGowan, Lots Holloway, Indian Queens, Quiet, The Art, Punka Club (Bristol), Post Pop Records, She Wolf, Bobby Long, Tiger Mimic, The Dodge Brothers (feat Mark Kermode), Jacquelyn Hynes, Emma Fordham (the Green Gathering festival).