Basic Income for the Arts

The issues of low pay, precarious work and poverty are prevalent across the arts and entertainment industry and have been entrenched further by the Covid-19 pandemic. Flaws in the universal credit and wider social security system are a major barrier for access for many creative professionals. 

Equity’s Northern Ireland Committee notes that the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme is underway in the Republic of Ireland. The Scottish Government is exploring a Minimum Income Guarantee, which includes a bespoke creative industries option, and the Welsh government is piloting basic income for care leavers.

Equity urges the ICTU’s Biennial Delegate Conference to support their campaign which calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to:

• pilot a basic income for performers and creative workers in Northern Ireland akin to the scheme taking place in the Republic of Ireland. 

• work closely with the trade union movement to ensure any pilot scheme aligns with the existing collective bargaining framework to support those in work to earn well. 
• work closely with Irish Government and other devolved nations to share learnings.