MPs say ‘Free is NOT an Option’

WGGB’s Free is NOT an Option campaign received a boost at Westminster on Monday 22 June 2015, when a number of MPs added their support to the campaign at an event organised by the Performers’ Alliance All-Party Parliamentary Group.

The Free is NOT an Option campaign has already received the support of a number of independent production companies, international writers’ guilds and the Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, who pledged to work with the Performers’ Alliance to tackle this problem, at a question raised in Parliament by Kerry McCarthy MP, Chair of the Performers’ Alliance, earlier this month (4 June 2015). Shadow Culture Secretary Chris Bryant MP has also added his name in support of the campaign.

Speaking at the event, Bill Armstrong, former Chair of WGGB’s TV Committee, said: “We are grateful for the support of MPs today, and hope this will encourage others to add their names to our campaign.

“In coming months, we hope to see a sea change in attitudes from the major broadcasters and independent production companies, to put an end to this dangerous practice, which is robbing writers of their livelihoods, and one of the UK’s most valuable exports of its diverse talent pool.”

You can view a full list of those who have supported the campaign here.

All photos: Reece Lipman @ Chocolate Films

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