'Barbara Keeley, a Labour peer, said the UK’s creative industries faced a “clear and present danger” from AI firms using their work without credit or payment.'
Footnote: the @writersguildgb.bsky.social is doing excellent work to fight this blatant theft of people's livelihoods. Join your union!
7/ We will continue our campaigning and lobbying work to ensure that our members’ voices are heard in Governmental discussions on copyright and AI.”
writersguild.org.uk/ai-copyright...
6/ ...and that a right to human review is in place wherever AI decision-making is used.
We ask the Government to announce its position on copyright and AI at the earliest opportunity to provide reassurance to our members and the wider creative industry that their rights will be protected.
5/ In addition to the points made by the Committee, WGGB call on the Government to ensure that any remuneration due to creators through licensing models is fair and equitable, that an independent regulatory body is established to monitor and regulate AI expansion...
4/ Secondly, that the Government needs to urgently establish a clear transparency framework for AI developers, which must be a statutory obligation.
Thirdly, that any UK licensing marketplace must be sustainable and contain mechanisms to ensure that remuneration reaches individual creators.
3/ This report highlights the key points that WGGB have repeatedly made over the last few years. Firstly, that the UK’s copyright system is not outdated and in need of reform, and that the Government should immediately rule out exceptions for commercial text and data mining with an opt-out mechanism
2/ “We welcome this report and the recommendations that have been made to Government, particularly the urge to legislators not to overlook the “economic powerhouse” that is our creative industry in the rush to embrace generative AI systems.
Image description. Blue flyer has the following words: We welcome this report and the recommendations that have been made to Government, particularly the urge to legislators not to overlook the “economic powerhouse” that is our creative industry in the rush to embrace generative AI systems.
1/ In response to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s report on AI, copyright and the creative industries, published today (6 March 2026), WGGB General Secretary Ellie Peers said:
4/ We stand in full solidarity with Jenny Sealey, Graeae, and all our disabled members, many of whom have also seen cuts to Access to Work support, making the barriers to their full participation in the sector even harder”
WGGB Theatre Chairs @mogster.bsky.social + @sonalidb.bsky.social
3/ This financial blow is devastating not just for Graeae, but for the British theatre landscape. We hope the Department for Work and Pensions will reconsider their decision
2/ Jenny is an incredible, dynamic theatre director and Artistic Director, as well as a formidable and tireless advocate for equal access to theatre for disabled artists
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[Blue graphic which features the WGGB logo and repeats the quote featured in the post]
1/ “The WGGB Theatre Committee are extremely concerned to learn of the swingeing cuts to Artistic Director of @graeaetheatre.bsky.social Jenny Sealey’s Access to Work
We're proud to support @togetheralliance.bsky.social + we're marching in London on 28 March to show that love is greater than hate, unity is stronger than division + hope is more powerful than fear
Join the WGGB writers' bloc!
writersguild.org.uk/together/
#Together
Graphic shows photos of speakers at the Front & Centre Festival
2/ Their talk is free + takes place at the Playhouse Derry / Londonderry
Find out more and book here:
www.derryplayhouse.co.uk/event/rights...
1/ It's International Women's Day on Sunday and WGGB Theatre Chairs @sonalidb.bsky.social + @mogster.bsky.social will be taking part in the Front & Centre: International Women's Day Playwriting Festival on Sat 7 March at 1pm, where they will be talking about rights for writers
As Wales marks St David’s Day week, @cultcymru.bsky.social has launched a new bilingual best practice guide designed to strengthen the working lives of creative freelancers across the cultural sector
It is supported by WGGB and sister creative unions
writersguild.org.uk/new-guide-la...
WGGB supports this statement from the TUC
www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-gen...
Playwrights call for greater creative risk following Jennie Lee lecture last week
Read this story in @thestage.co.uk with quotes from WGGB Theatre Chairs @mogster.bsky.social and @sonalidb.bsky.social and former WGGB President David Edgar
www.thestage.co.uk/news/playwri...
WGGB is encouraging members to have their say on BBC Charter Renewal by responding to the Government's public consultation
Full information on how to do this here:
writersguild.org.uk/future-of-th...
Blue and white graphic with a photo of Oliver Emanuel and text repeated from the post
The announcement of the 2026 Tinniswood Award winner at the #BBCAudioDramaAwards this evening was a special one
It saw the late Oliver Emanuel honoured for ‘One Hundred and Fifty Days’, an "extraordinary and generous gift of a play"
Read more here 🔽
writersguild.org.uk/tinniswood-a...
A daffodil and a Happy St David's Day message.
1.3.26 Happy St. David's Day, the patron saint of Wales.
#GwnewchYPethauBychain = do the little things (for others)
#CULTCymru = Creative Unions Learning Together Wales :
@bectulgbt.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social @writersguildgb.bsky.social
Blue and white graphic with photos of the shortlisted writers, clockwise from top left: Waleed Akhtar, Sarah Wooley, Oliver Emanuel, James Fritz
We’re looking forward to the #BBCAudioDramaAwards in London this evening, where the winner of the 2026 Tinniswood Award will be announced
You can find out more about the award (organised by WGGB and @societyofauthors.bsky.social) and view the shortlist here ⬇️
writersguild.org.uk/tinniswood-a...
At this year's Jennie Lee Lecture, @nationaltheatre.org.uk Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham highlighted the crisis in new writing for theatre and the need for a renewed national commitment to back creative risk, something WGGB supports
Our response in full:
writersguild.org.uk/jennie-lee-l...
Concerning new figures in this year’s Jennie Lee lecture on the crisis in new writing for theatre
A further statement to come from WGGB
www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/f...
Two slides with blue background feature a photo of somebody sitting at a laptop plus details repeated from the post about the changes to MTD coming in April 2026 and a link to our Members' Area - www.writersguild.org.uk/members-area
Two slides with blue background feature a photo of somebody sitting at a laptop plus details repeated from the post about the changes to MTD coming in April 2026 and a link to our Members' Area - www.writersguild.org.uk/members-area
There are important changes coming to the tax system from April, which have implications for self-employed writers
If your total turnover in 2024/25 is above £50,000 you must sign up for Making Tax Digital from April
Members can find free resources in our Members' Area
www.writersguild.org.uk
Urgent action is needed from the Government on fair pay and fair treatment of the creative workforce, plus interventions to support a sustainable sector, including around copyright and AI
We will continue our lobbying and campaigning work
Read the report:
filmtvcharity.org.uk/research-imp...
1/ New research from @filmtvcharity.bsky.social shows a workforce under growing financial strain, with 74% considering leaving the industry and a situation that is particularly acute for freelancers
Graphic features a photo of a WGGB march, with WGGB flags and banners, plus the WGGB and Together Alliance logos. The flyer features details of the march on 28 March and the link where you can find more information: www.writersguild.org.uk/together
Graphic features a photo of a WGGB march, with WGGB flags and banners, plus the WGGB and Together Alliance logos. The flyer features details of the march on 28 March and the link where you can find more information: www.writersguild.org.uk/together
We're proud to support @togetheralliance.bsky.social + we're marching in London on 28 March to show that love is greater than hate, unity is stronger than division + hope is more powerful than fear
Join the WGGB writers' bloc + book free coaches to London!
writersguild.org.uk/together/
#Together
Photo of the exterior of Broadcasting House in London displaying the BBC logo/signage
WGGB members - you're invited to an online town-hall style meeting this Thurs (19 Feb) so we can get your views on BBC Charter Renewal and help shape our response to the Gov consultation
There are two slots: 11am + 5pm
Check your ebulletin/email for details or contact eleanor@writersguild.org.uk
