UK City of Culture pay deal agreed for creatives

Unions have signed an agreement with Bradford 2025 aimed at ensuring creative workers engaged in the programme will receive decent pay and conditions.

Equity, the Musicians' Union, Bectu, and Artists Union England welcomed the signing of a so-called memorandum of understanding for the UK City of Culture year.

The deal guarantees that professional creative workers are engaged on terms in line with collectively-bargained agreements.

The UK City of Culture scheme is designed to boost a city's visitor numbers, economies and reputations, and Bradford's year has received £15m in government funding.

Equity official Dominic Bascombe called the agreement "a win for the region, workers and audiences".

"It will ensure that our members are employed on agreed minimum terms, with training and development opportunities for younger creatives and respect for the intellectual property rights of our members," he said.

"We look forward to working with Bradford 2025 to ensure a long-lasting legacy in which arts and culture continue to thrive in the region."

An estimated 10,000 people celebrated the start of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture at an open-air show in January.

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