Hundreds of comedians unpaid by one of UK's biggest comedy festivals Leicester Comedy Festival says it is committed to paying comedians but waiting on money themselves.

🎤 Let’s get the comedy industry funded. CRAFT has launched a survey to help Arts Council England curate a comedy-specific advice session on project funding — what questions do you have for ACE @artscouncilengland.bsky.social ? #ComedyFunding #CRAFT #UKComedy

👉 "Laughter has measurable heath benefits that can reduce pressure on the NHS - it brings people together, and cuts through division." 👈 (Dr Simon Opher MP MBE • Labour MP for Gloucestershire • CRAFT Patron) @simonforstroud.bsky.social ➡Visit thecraft.lol/team #CRAFT #CRAFTteam #UKComedy

Great to see YouGov ask the question — and 44% say stand-up comedy should be eligible for government arts and culture funding. That’s a clear sign the public gets it: comedy is art, comedy matters, and comedy deserves a seat at the funding table #CRAFT #BritishComedy #ComedyUK #ComedyIsAnArtform

👉 "Comedy is not a niche, it's a serious economic engine. CRAFT gives the sector a clear, accountable partner that government and institutions can work with." 👈 (Samantha Niblett MP • Labour MP for South Derbyshire • CRAFT Patron) @samanthaniblett.bsky.social ➡Visit thecraft.lol/team #CRAFT

BBC News highlights the growing case for proper support for grassroots live comedy - and CRAFT team members were interviewed after our recent Ministerial roundtable. Read more: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y73z94xzeo #CRAFT #BritishComedy #ComedyUK #ComedyIsAnArtform #CreativeIndustries

👉 "CRAFT is a timely initiative that offers institutions and policymakers a practical partner on standards, evidence, and sustainable investment." 👈 (Dame Caroline Dinenage • Conservative MP for Gosport • CRAFT Patron) ➡Visit thecraft.lol/team or link in bio

LANDMARK INQUIRY: Misogyny in Comedy. CRAFT is calling on the comedy industry — performers, promoters and professionals of all genders — to share evidence for the Women & Equalities Committee’s inquiry. Take part and share widely: thecraft.lol/surveys-and-reports

👉"The British comedy scene is a cherished and integral part of the creative industries landscape. I am so delighted to be a founding trustee of CRAFT."👈 (Jennifer Smith • CIISA CEO • CRAFT Trustee) ➡Visit thecraft.lol or link in bio

DCMS Committee is now scrutinising Arts Council England – and asking the question comedy’s been waiting for. Our latest piece lays out the evidence of comedy’s chronic underfunding compared to other sectors, why ACE recognition is essential, and how CRAFT is driving the case for change

👉"Comedy venues are often the lifeblood of a thriving arts scene. And yet so many are under threat as they are not considered arts venues. This needs to change."👈 (Tom Walker (Jonathan Pie) • Comedian • Actor • Writer • CRAFT Patron) @jonathanpienews.bsky.social

Parliament just heard something new: comedy has a new national body, CRAFT. Our political patron @samanthaniblett.bsky.social announced CRAFT on the floor of the House of Commons

👉 "Comedy generates billions in revenue and millions in taxes annually, but, for decades, reinvestment has not been proportional to the value it creates." 👈 (Lu Jackson• Craic Founder CEO • CRAFT Founder and Chair) ▶ Visit thecraft.lol or link in bio

Is comedy getting the same business rates break as pubs & live music venues — or still an afterthought? CRAFT unpacks the relief regime, venue classifications & needed changes. Thanks @simonforstroud.bsky.social for raising this - making comedy visible in policy. Read more 👉 thecraft.lol/newsroom

CRAFT, the Comedy Representation & Artform Trust, has given UK comedy a national body. Launching to fund, sustain and professionalise comedy, treating comedy as a serious artform with real infrastructure, for fair funding, safeguarding and a seat at the policy table. Read more: thecraft.lol/newsroom