The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain has warned its members are about to face the sharp edges of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis this winter, with 55% of writers surveyed in a new survey saying rising energy and food costs are affecting their ability to maintain a writing career.
A survey of more than 250 writers conducted by the Guild found that in addition to energy and food bills, other factors that affected their ability to engage in writing work included spending less time working as a writer, applying for funding, and development plans. or other opportunities. While writers are not unique in their concerns about Britain’s cost-of-living crisis, which is a concern for many British families this winter, the majority (over 80%) said they were independent writers, highlighting the fraught nature of the book. Recruitment of screenwriters, playwrights, authors, audio plays and video game writers represented by the union.
67% of those surveyed reported having to rely on their savings in order to manage daily expenses, while 37% said they had to rely on their partner’s earnings. More than 70% of respondents earned £18,000 ($21,000) or less for clerical work in the last financial year.
The survey also highlighted “a dearth of opportunity and an increase in malpractice” industry-wide. Many respondents said that real wages have not risen with inflation as the creative industries continue to suffer from the impact of Brexit and the Covid crisis. There were also reports of late payments, shrinking production budgets, and reduced audience sizes. (A WGGB poll last month revealed that nearly three-quarters of UK film writers feel they are not being properly credited for their work and are being “cut out” from the filmmaking process.)
Writers polled by WGGB work across television, film, theatre, audio, books and video games. Many respondents explained their concern about how increases in the cost of living will affect the creative industries, with many fearing that shrinking demand among audiences and consumers will force establishments to close. Many respondents cited independent video game studios, theaters, publishers, and screen production companies as being particularly at risk.
WGGB General Secretary Ellie Peers said: “Having lived through the dual impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, writers are now having to grapple with a severe cost-of-living crisis, our new survey shows. The UK is facing a massive loss of writing talent, and this It risks pulling the rug out from under our world-beating cultural industries, which contribute over £100 billion to our economy and enjoy an enviable global standing.
“We will work with our industry partners to address the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on writers, campaign and lobby, and defend our members against malpractices wherever we find them,” the peers continued.
[ad_2]
