Monthly Archives: August 2021

Labour shortages and productivity

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Paul Evans

Will labour shortages have a positive impact on the economy? I’d argue that they will as employers will stop building business models based on sweating unproductive low-skilled workers and instead on tech innovation. Martin Sandbu [£] agrees. But what is … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Employment, Productivity | Tagged | Leave a comment

Racist stereotyping in auditions, and major BFI study into representation in UK film

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

More from the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University. “Two thirds of actors of colour have experienced racist stereotyping in an audition, while more than 50% have experienced racism in the workplace, according to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Feature film data, High End TV data, Race equality, Skills & capacity | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

RSC to offer socially distanced musicals for audiences reluctant to attend a full-capacity show

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

This will be happening in November and December, and audiences will be seated with an empty row in front of and behind them, and with one empty seat between parties, and with everyone (barring exempted people) asked to wear a … Continue reading →

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Theatre Tax Relief paid out £74 million to 3,660 productions last year

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

According to The Stage [£]… “This represents a £3 million increase on the figure paid out in 2019/20, which was £71 million, and comes amid calls for the tax credit to be increased to help the sector recover after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation & VFX, Culture policy, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax, Tax incentives, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged | Leave a comment

Post-pandemic working foregrounds poor management and outdated hierarchies

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

A couple of  pieces from the FT recently highlighting the spotlight that has fallen on the quality of management in the UK. The first one [£] takes ministers to task for their (possibly unfounded, or even downright wrong) complaints about … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity of representation, Employment, Equality, Gender pay, Gender representation, Management, Productivity, Race equality | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Personal Injury case demonstrates the value of union membership

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

Thompsons are reporting a successful PI claim on behalf of a Bectu member who sustained serious injuries working on on exhibition in Germany. Anthony Brookes secured more than £158,000 in compensation with the help of his union and Thompsons. You … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh TV Festival debates C4 sell-off

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

Broadcast has a report here [£]. In a statement that my be dismissed as hyperbole, John Thoday of Avalon says C4 privatisation will “kill the indie sector” and calls for the government to give C4 in it’s current form a … Continue reading →

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Government deliberately delaying decisions about appointments to Channel 4’s board

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

According to the Times, @StewartPurvis, who stepped down as board member of Channel 4 says the Govt is deliberately delaying decisions about appointments to Channel 4’s board because it wants to install people sympathetic to privatisation pic.twitter.com/GbkVMLClEc — Joe Public … Continue reading →

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Labour shortages increase potential industrial muscle for workers

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

Today’s FT is full of news about how labour shortages are hitting the economy in numerous ways as a result of multiple market failures [£] which includes the pandemic, the pingdemic, market failure but obviously, we can’t add brexit to … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Economics, Employment, EU & Brexit, Gig economy workers, Inflation, IR35, Migration & working abroad, Pay & inflation, Productivity | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

10m British pension savers risk running out of money in retirement

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Paul Evans

The FT is reporting: “Nearly 10m British pension savers risk running out of money in retirement because they do not know how to make their savings last, according to new analysis which sheds fresh light on the complex choices facing … Continue reading →

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44% of British employees want some form of hybrid working

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Paul Evans

Via Labour Research’s ‘Fact Service’, 44% of British employees want some form of hybrid working. From the Employee Benefits website… “The Health wealth and happiness study conducted by insurance business LifeSearch asked people about their ideal working set up. It … Continue reading →

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Sir Roger Deakins and others confront Hollywood over cinematographers’ long workdays

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Paul Evans

From the British Cinematographer website: “Hollywood cinematographers have signed a letter urging the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to address “the hazards of unsafe working hours” that have plagued the industry for decades.” Quoting from the Deadline … Continue reading →

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Coalition for Change – Freelance Charter

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

The launch of this at The Edinburgh TV Festival today has received coverage from Variety, Broadcast and Televisual among others. It can be downloaded from the Variety website here [pdf].

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Covid and live events – lockdowns may not be over yet

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

… and in direct contradiction of the previous post here, the live events industry was very pleased to hear that Spanish studies had shown that live events could happen without a significantly increased risk of Covid transmission, but times may … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Coronavirus, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged | Leave a comment

Covid – mass participation events “can be conducted safely”

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Stage is reporting [£] that the government’s Covid pilot programme data has allowed the government to claim that mass participation events “can be conducted safely”, with case numbers from four months of crowds remaining in line with, or below, … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bingo venues also take covid profit-hit

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

The FT is reporting [£] that Rank Group (Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos) are facing a pre-tax loss of £107m (they had a £13.4m profit the previous year). Quoting their CEO, John O’Reilly… “Last year was rotten, we were shut … Continue reading →

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Cinema v SVoD – continued

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

CinemaCon (celebrating the moviegoing experience) is on in Las Vegas at the moment. Variety reports that… “This year’s convention has been noticeably lighter in attendance as fewer studio executives, Hollywood stars and media members opted to make the pilgrimage to … Continue reading →

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Lockdowns still likely to feature

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

Just in case anyone is working on the basis that lockdowns are over, or covid-disruption is a diminishing feature, it’s worth noting that Israel – the country that had the most effective and rapid vaccine roll-out was reporting three weeks … Continue reading →

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Co-operative working in the tech and cultural sector

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Paul Evans

A useful survey of co-operative working from the US here or download the PDF here. “Our survey results confirm that the co-operative model is a promising strategy for mitigating individualized patterns of work, democratizing work relationships, and providing satisfying work in … Continue reading →

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Visa-free touring – questions remain

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paul Evans

Equity is calling for clarity on European work visas for touring. The Government announced on 4 August that nineteen EU member states will allow performers short-term touring work without a need for a visa or a work permit.​ However, the … Continue reading →

Posted in EU & Brexit, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Intimacy co-ordinators mentoring scheme

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Stage reports that… “A mentoring scheme has been launched to improve diversity in the intimacy coordination profession. The programme for under-represented groups, described as the first of its kind in the UK, has recently completed its inaugural course, training … Continue reading →

Posted in Child protection and safeguarding, Diversity of representation, Gender representation, Race equality, Skills & capacity | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Freelance Deal: 1. Employment Rights, Tax and Pensions

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paul Evans

This is the first draft of the policy document that has been agreed by the Tax, Employment Rights and Pensions Working Group of London Production Division (LPD) on the 7th May 2020. It is a contribution to Bectu’s proposed ‘New … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment Contracts, Employment Law and Rights, Employment status, Freelance working, Freelancer rights, Gig economy workers, IR35, Long hours, Management, Pensions, Personal Service Companies, Skills & capacity, Tax, Welfare and benefits, Wellbeing, Work-life balance | Tagged | Leave a comment

Plaza guide warns of ‘skills fade’ in safety-critical live events roles

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Paul Evans

The National Rigging Advisory Group has published a briefing on the dangers of ‘skills fade’ [pdf] as people return to work in theatre and live events – many of whom have been off the tools for nearly 18 months. “Prolonged … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronavirus, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Beyond the Rules and democratic management

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

Probably only worth reading if you’re interested in a very deep dive into the idea of what democratic governance is (with the implications on how to run a union branch, or – indeed – a union). But this, from Dark … Continue reading →

Posted in Organising Skills, Ownership & Control | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Housing costs may not stop their current sharp rise

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

Anyone hoping that the housing market will calm down once the current Stamp Duty holiday fully comes to an end on October 31st may be in for a disappointment. Estate Agents are reporting no obvious market correction in house prices. … Continue reading →

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No Time to Die to premiere in London on September 28

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

The world premiere will take place on Tuesday, September 28 at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the theatrical release slated for October 8th in the US. The World Premiere for #NoTimeToDie will take place on Tuesday 28 September … Continue reading →

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Making Tax Digital – quarterly tax filings from April 2023?

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

Government plans for Making Tax Digital – a programme that will require about 4.3m self-employed people and small businesses to keep digital records and report their income to HM Revenue & Customs every quarter from April 2023 – are facing … Continue reading →

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“No-one should die for a shot.” Mark Milsome update

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

In November 2017, Mark Milsome – a Camera Operator – died after being hit by a Land Rover when a stunt went wrong. He had been working on the Netflix and BBC drama Black Earth Rising. His father, Doug Milsome … Continue reading →

Posted in Health & Safety, Safe working practices, Safe working standards | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Iceland – shorter working week does not damage productivity

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

Forbes is reporting on a recent study (June 2021) of 2,500 workers in Iceland—more than 1% of the workforce—was conducted to see if shortened workdays lead to more productivity and a happier workforce. Autonomy’s summary of the results are that…. … Continue reading →

Posted in Long hours, Management, Remote working, Wellbeing, Work-life balance, Workplaces | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Call to arms: unions everywhere must resist this pt2

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Paul Evans

Very late on Friday post: Following on from the lanyards things a few weeks ago… I’m going to guess we’re all against this kind of facial recognition thing? Research has shown that meetings correlate with a decline in workplace happiness, … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Productivity | Tagged | Leave a comment

More stats on the impact of the creative sector on the wider economy

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Further to this post about the Creative Industries Federation report, here are more stats on the (potential) contribution to the UK economy from the creative sector. The Creative UK Group projects that the creative industries can create 300,000 new jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Regulation, Skills & capacity, Tax incentives | Tagged | Leave a comment

British Film Commission Showreel 2021

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans
Posted in Film & TV industry policy | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jobs growth fueling interest rate changes?

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Useful info in here [£] about the current state of the jobs market. How the hot UK labour market is driving interest rate forecasts https://t.co/xIehn9Av73 — Financial Times (@FT) August 11, 2021

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Disney outpaces streaming rivals [£]

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Disney outpaces streaming rivals as it doubles subscribers in a year https://t.co/vuJ6Bu2oGV — Financial Times (@FT) August 12, 2021

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Best places to work in TV?

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Broadcast does an awards thing – here. Looking after staff’s mental health, creating the right work-life balance, & making sure staff are treated fairly in terms of inclusivity and diversity are just some attributes that make up the best workplace. … Continue reading →

Posted in Long hours, Mental Health, Safe working practices, Safe working standards, Wellbeing, Work-life balance, Workplace conflict, Workplaces | Tagged , | Leave a comment