The Stage

Culture minister Follett urges action over female performers’ pay

Published Tuesday 3 February 2009 at 16:40 by Matthew Hemley

Culture minister Barbara Follett has backed an Equity campaign aimed at securing fairer employment opportunities for older female performers and has urged UK broadcasters, writers and directors to make better use of “the depth and richness of talent” available to them.

Follett’s comments were made after the union presented her with the results of a survey, conducted by the International Federation of Actors and completed by affiliated unions across 20 European countries.

More than 1,000 Equity members in the UK completed the survey, which revealed that women earn less and have shorter careers than their male counterparts, while most also see their age as a disadvantage in terms of getting them work.

Since receiving the results, Equity has been implementing measures aimed at addressing the issue in the UK, including forming a steering group to discuss performance opportunities for older women and seeking the government’s support.

Responding to the findings, Follett said she now wanted UK broadcasters and writers to “think very carefully” about what the results showed.

“Just imagine what we would have missed if some of our finest actresses had been overlooked in the way this research suggests is happening today. Just imagine artistic life without performers like Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Vanessa Redgrave,” she said.

The culture minister added: “This is not just about lead roles for world-class performers. I want broadcasters, writers and directors to think very carefully about what this report is telling us and to consider what they should do to ensure they capitalise on the depth and richness of talent of our actresses brought about through years of perfecting their craft.”

Equity vice-president Jean Rogers, who has been at the forefront of Equity’s campaign, said she was pleased Follett had accepted the findings and added: “The fact she is taking it so seriously is a tremendous step forward for our female members, but also for women in general who deserve to see their lives and contributions fully reflected on our stage and screens.”

Meanwhile, MP Janet Anderson, chair of the Performers’ Alliance Parliamentary Group, is to table an Early Day Motion calling for the government to recognise the survey’s findings and to take action to ensure “equal opportunities for female performers”.