Equity calls for change

Arts councils should set minimum levels of in-house production and maximum levels for administrative spending in theatres, according to theatre union Equity. It has issued a six-point Manifesto for Theatre in advance of the General Election, calling on funded companies to pay “at least industry standard wages”, for government funding to increase yearly “at least by inflation”, and for local authorities to be obliged to fund the performing arts. An Arts Council England (ACE) spokesperson told AP that ACE supported some of the recommendations, but that “it is not appropriate for ACE to set targets for levels of in-house production”.