Unions calls for further ACE investment in ENO

A coalition of trade unions are calling on Arts Council England (ACE) to produce a “realistic strategy” for the future of English National Opera (ENO), alongside additional funding.

Last month, ACE announced an additional £24m will be granted to ENO – after it lost its National Portfolio status – to help the opera house establish a main base outside London.

The Musicians' Union, Equity and Bectu have raised concerns about the viability of that amount of funding meeting ACE’s objectives and allowing ENO to maintain its output.

In a joint statement, the unions accused ACE of “failing to factor in the significant associated costs of establishing a new base in a new city”, while also raising concerns on the impact several premises will have on staff.

They added that stretching the funding across two premises would impact the amount of opera ENO can produced and deliver, causing a knock-on effect on income streams and ticket sales.

“We need commitment from ACE to work with the unions and the ENO on a thorough and realistic plan for the company,” Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said.

“One that sets it up for future success and protects the livelihood of its staff and freelancers.” 

Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming added: “If ‘levelling up’ is real and not just a populist ploy, we have to see a settlement which provides for good jobs at the current London base, with additional funding to create new work opportunities around a regional home for the ENO.”