U.Okay. leisure freelancers are dealing with an unprecedented disaster, with practically half incomes beneath the authorized minimal wage, in line with the ultimate Large Freelancer Survey launched Thursday by Freelancers Make Theater Work (FMTW).

The sobering report, titled “Who’s Taking the Hit?,” reveals that 44% of the 1,270 surveyed freelancers earned lower than the U.Okay. nationwide dwelling wage of £11.44 ($15.50) per hour within the 2023-24 monetary 12 months — a dramatic enhance from 34% the earlier 12 months.

The survey spans the breadth of U.Okay. leisure, with respondents working throughout theater (84%), dwell occasions and live shows (34%), opera (23%), dance (22%), movie (16%), TV (14%), recorded audio (14%), video video games (2%) and circus (4%), amongst different sectors.

“The info supplied by hundreds of respondents since 2020 presents a transparent — and deeply regarding — image of the scenario during which U.Okay. arts freelancers discover themselves,” mentioned Mimi Doulton, classical singer and FMTW volunteer. “Yr-on-year, the responses have highlighted intensifying problems with low pay, inequality, and insecurity.”

The disaster runs deeper than wages alone. The survey discovered that 32% of freelancers reported working 50% or extra unpaid hours, whereas 75% mentioned their work-related bills had elevated over the previous 12 months. Solely 30% reported revenue will increase, with 40% struggling decreased earnings.

Psychological well being issues are reaching vital ranges, with 39% of respondents reporting worsened psychological well being over the previous 12 months and 70% feeling “fairly” or “very insecure” about their careers — up from 65% in 2024.

Maybe most alarming: 1 / 4 of freelancers are contemplating leaving the business fully, citing low pay (68%), inadequate work alternatives (57%), psychological well being issues (52%) and job insecurity (48%) as major elements.

“Even being employed 45 weeks of the 12 months throughout totally different initiatives, the charges of pay aren’t excessive sufficient to cowl my mortgage and dwelling prices,” one nameless freelancer acknowledged.

The pay disparity is especially stark for marginalized teams. Amongst these incomes beneath the nationwide dwelling wage, the figures rise to 55% for these with disabilities, 54% for these from less-privileged socioeconomic backgrounds, and 47% for feminine respondents.

The geographical divide is equally troubling. Regardless of London’s function because the business’s hub, 53% of freelancers earn lower than the London Dwelling Wage of £13.85 ($18.75) per hour — which means the bulk can’t afford to dwell within the metropolis the place a lot of the work is concentrated.

Movie and TV freelancers echoed issues felt throughout leisure sectors. “Brexit has made European touring onerous,” famous one respondent, whereas one other noticed: “The business has undoubtedly NOT ‘come again stronger’ for the reason that pandemic.”

The funding disaster underlying these points is obvious within the survey knowledge. Solely 8% of respondents acquired funding from Arts Councils or Inventive Scotland, illustrating the difficult atmosphere for unbiased artists and small producers throughout all leisure verticals.

Synthetic Intelligence emerged as a rising concern, notably for these in voiceover and composition work. “I’ve skilled numerous insecurity due to the rise of AI,” one freelancer reported. “Shoppers have mentioned issues like ‘we needed to make use of the AI information voice as an alternative of you, however it could’t do nuance, so we referred to as you in.’”

Union membership stays at 56%, however freelancers cite affordability issues and insufficient illustration for his or her roles as limitations to becoming a member of. Many referred to as for free-to-join unions or income-based sliding scale membership choices.

The survey, performed yearly since 2020, marks the tip of a deliberate five-year collection that has documented the deteriorating situations for the U.Okay.’s freelance leisure workforce, which includes over 70% of the theater business and vital parts of different sectors.

Regardless of the grim statistics, freelancers proceed to exhibit resilience and hope. Many shared examples of fine apply throughout the sector, from organizations offering psychological well being assist to these implementing truthful pay transparency and supporting working mother and father.

FMTW’s suggestions embody working with authorities and funding our bodies to develop fashions guaranteeing truthful pay, advocating for higher understanding of freelancers’ wants, and creating mechanisms to problem exploitative practices.

“The performing arts within the U.Okay. can’t survive with no thriving freelance workforce,” Doulton mentioned. “It’s time now for presidency, unions and humanities organizations to behave on this knowledge and make urgently wanted, basic adjustments to your complete business’s working relationship with freelancers.”