Manchester-Led Inquiry Proposes Radical Overhaul to Tackle Class Barriers in Creative Industries
A landmark investigation into class representation within creative fields has unveiled a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to dismantle systemic barriers and foster greater inclusion for working-class individuals in the arts. The Class Ceiling report, co-led by Nazir Afzal, Chancellor of the University of Manchester, and Avis Gilmore, former deputy general secretary of the National Education Union, was formally announced on 26 September. It positions itself as a "blueprint for change" with the ambition of creating solutions that could be adopted nationwide.
A Call for Legal Protection and Systemic Change
The report presents 21 detailed recommendations, with one of its most significant proposals being that class should become a protected characteristic under equality legislation. This would afford it the same legal standing as characteristics like race, sex, and religion. Nazir Afzal argues that Greater Manchester has a history of pioneering such progressive changes and is well-placed to lead on this issue.
"As a former prosecutor, I have seen our region do this before," Afzal stated. "When Sophie Lancaster was killed, Greater Manchester police broke new ground by offering people from alternative subcultures hate crime protection – and other police forces eventually followed suit. This was the right thing to do and we need to be equally bold. Because we are not going to break down barriers that are crushing creativity until we build an arts sector that treats class as a core inclusion issue."
Addressing the Apprenticeship Crisis and Regional Disadvantage
The inquiry starkly highlights the severe shortage of accessible entry routes, particularly apprenticeships, for working-class talent. Currently, a mere 0.5% of new apprenticeships are within the creative sector. This scarcity was vividly illustrated last year when the Co-op offered just five apprenticeships for experience at the new Co-op Live arena, receiving an overwhelming 2,304 applications—equating to 460 hopefuls for each available place.
Claire Costello, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at the Co-op, announced that the Manchester-based group will spearhead a major regional apprenticeship initiative. "Our Co-op believes everyone, whatever their background, should be able to access opportunities in the arts and creative sector throughout Greater Manchester," she said. "Apprenticeships can provide a stepping stone for future careers. That’s why Co-op is encouraging Greater Manchester employers to share unspent apprenticeship levy funds to raise £3m over three years to support 200 new apprenticeships in the arts and creative sector throughout Greater Manchester."
Broader Recommendations for a More Inclusive Future
The Class Ceiling report goes beyond these core proposals to outline a wider strategy for change:
- The creation of a "Class Champion" role, to be appointed by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, who would act as a dedicated advocate and representative for class-related issues across the sector.
- Making it mandatory for all roles in the arts and creative industries to be advertised publicly, a measure aimed directly at combating cronyism and opaque hiring practices.
- A significant increase in the number of artistic and creative programmes within schools across the region. This aims to ensure young people from all backgrounds are consistently exposed to the arts and have the opportunity to pursue them academically throughout their education.
The report contextualises its findings within a long-standing regional challenge. Despite a rich history of working-class talent emerging from the north-west, there remains a pervasive sense that the arts are not for everyone. Salford-born actor Christopher Eccleston encapsulated this sentiment in a 2023 interview, noting, "If you grow up in the north-west, you don’t feel culture and the arts belong to you. You don’t believe if you come from a council estate you can be an actor, a poet or a painter."
This comprehensive inquiry serves as a direct challenge to that perception, offering a concrete pathway towards a more equitable and representative creative landscape in Greater Manchester and potentially across the United Kingdom.
