Choose hope

We welcome this new inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which will look at the provision of original children's TV and video content in the UK + how to ensure high quality TV and video for children can be made + easily found in future committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...

An inspiring event at the Garden Cinema yesterday, where we heard from three leading screenwriters + WGGB activists, Olivia Hetreed, @gibbzer.bsky.social + @linelangebek.bsky.social They spoke about the art of ‘spinning plates’ - professionally, personally + in the sphere of activism + mentoring

#scriptskyuk #theatre

#scriptskyuk #screenwriting #filmmaking #WritingCommunity We know it's an issue - help us measure the scale...

For all authors, scriptwriters, and writers, for all creatives whatever the medium, copyright protections are vital. Meta has used the works of countless creatives, without consent, to train AI. #DoTheWriteThing and #MakeItFair @writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @alcs.co.uk

Here’s @gailrenard.bsky.social from @writersguildgb.bsky.social at the head of the throng #MakeItRight #MetaBookThieves

‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’

I'll be delivering @writersguildgb.bsky.social letter, about Meta's mass theft of writers' work to train AI, to Meta HQ today, along with one of my own. It's a day of action Make a noise - Write to Culture Secretary @lisanandy - Tell Meta they don't have the right to use your books #DoTheWriteThing

OpenAI trained on a massive pirated database trained on six of my books and short stories. Meta's AI trained on a massive pirated database of THIRTY ONE of my works. Just about every author you know has had their life's work scraped and fed into the machine without consent. Please stand with us.

Today we're joining with @societyofauthors.bsky.social outside Meta's offices to protest the use of pirated works to train their AI models Here are some ways you can join the day of action: writersguild.org.uk/do-the-write... #MakeItFair

Happy #WorldTheatreDay! A day to celebrate theatre and our talented playwright members

Following the devastating news about the cancellation of River City, please sign this petition set up by our sister union @equityuk.bsky.social which has reached 6,000 signatures in just 24 hours Please also say when you sign why River City is so important to the writing community in Scotland

It's World Radio Day! The BBC is making the tragic and bewildering decision to massively slash its audio drama budgets. Please protest that decision by making a short video with #SADattheBBC and tag @writersguildgb.bsky.social

13 Feb is World Radio Day, and the BBC is planning to cut drama budgets yet further, so I am starting a thread of drawings inspired by BBC radio dramas. (Leaving out worstjourney.com for now as that's its own story.) Hit social media with #SADatTheBBC to get on the radar tomorrow.

On #WorldRadioDay 2025 let us celebrate BBC's Drama on 3 - and make sure it's still around for #WorldRadioDay 2026. #SADatTheBBC (Save Audio Drama at the BBC) @writersguildgb.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @unesco.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2J...

Happy #WorldRadioDay! Send a video message to Director-General Tim Davie + the BBC about why audio drama is so important to you, why you oppose their cuts and why we must Save Audio Drama at the BBC #SADatTheBBC writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...

For thousands of British writers (including myself) BBC audio drama was where we started, where we learned, where we explored what we could do. It's currently being dismantled, removing one rare and vital ladder for new writers in this country. #SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social

It's @unesco.org #WorldRadioDay - the perfect time to remind you of the importance of #BBC #RadioDrama. Radio 3 is axing it. Radio 4 has cut most of it. So here's why radio drama is important to me... #SADatTheBBC @writersguildgb.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social

The Papatango Playwrights’ Studio is now open! Create a profile, connect with creatives and producers, and enjoy digital workshops, networking, one-to-one advice and funding opportunities - all at no cost. Sign up: https://papatango.co.uk/studio/ #PapatangoStudio #Theatre #Playwriting

Next Thurs 13 Feb is World Radio Day, but audio drama is under serious threat Share a short video to tell BBC Director General Tim Davie + the BBC why audio drama is important to you, the wider UK drama ecosystem + why you oppose their cuts More info 🔽 writersguild.org.uk/save-audio-d...

The Bridport Prize is offering two fully funded writer residencies in Dorset for writers from The Midlands and/or The North West of the UK who are working class and/or 60+ From Sunday 22 to Friday 27 June 2025. Writers must be available for the whole period. Details in link. Please share :)

Hey #theatresky #playwrights #theatre Come and join us for what should be a really interesting session ....

Really looking forward to this session, come and join us.....

Check out the new site!!

Online joining via our website is currently unavailable as we launch a new website To join WGGB or renew your membership pls contact [email protected] or 0207 833 0777 Find A Writer updating is also currently unavailable We’ll be back online tomorrow + apologise for any inconvenience

📢 Write to your MP - ahead of a House of Commons General Debate on the Creative Industries this Monday - to safeguard creative rights in AI + ensure that voices of creatives are heard in the face of powerful lobbying from Big Tech Use the online tool: creativerightsinai.eaction.org.uk/MP

It's pouring with rain and everything seems gloomy. But here's something useful you can do that will take less than 2 minutes. Please click the link in the email below to email your MP, objecting to the government's plan to let AI companies use creatives' work for free.

General employment law states that an intern is entitled to the national minimum wage, as well as other entitlements, if they are classified as a ‘worker’. However, confusion over the law and a lack of enforcement means some employers are escaping sanction.

Almost half (47%) of employers say they offer internships paid at least at the minimum wage 💰 The proportion offering internships paid below the minimum wage has increased to 17%, from 11% in 2018. 9% say they offer internships without any compensation.

There is also a growing emphasis placed on internships as a route into professional careers. 59% of employers surveyed say they now offer internships, up from 48% in 2018. 1/3 of grads who completed an internship say it helped secure their job.

Among those who did unpaid internships, 40% relied on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ to fund their role 💳 This is up from 26% in 2018, demonstrating the increasing importance of parental support. 39% were able to live with family or friends for free. Some used their own savings.

On pay, three fifths (61%) of internships undertaken by recent grads were unpaid or underpaid. Most of these internships are likely illegal under existing regulations, but the system relies on interns themselves reporting non-paying employers 👎

Today’s report shows that the proportion of graduates who have undertaken an internship has increased by 12 percentage points since 2018, from 39% to 51%. A quarter (27%) have done multiple internships, with 10% doing three or more.

🚨 NEW: The gap in access to internships between working-class and middle-class graduates has almost doubled since 2018. Our new research reveals a growing gap in access to increasingly important internship routes, with many opportunities under and unpaid 🧵⬇️

At a time when audio drama and entertainment is having a moment, it seems short-sighted of the BBC to cut their radio drama slots. Still, that is what they have been quietly doing. Sign the petition opposing their latest cuts. chng.it/V6QyDwkfbp

Read what playwright + screenwriter James Graham had to say about writers and AI in @thestage.bsky.social today And WGGB members - come to our online townhall this Thurs on AI to help inform our response to the Gov consultation Check your inbox for details www.thestage.co.uk/news/james-g...

WGGB members - come to our AI town hall, Thurs 23 Jan (3-5pm, online) We'll be explaining the Government's proposals on copyright and AI, how this will affect writers and seeking your views to help inform our response to the Gov consultation Invites in your inbox (plus fill in our AI survey too!)

New Paper! In @mcsjournal.bsky.social Peter Campbell @markrt.bsky.social Danny Leigh & I analyse the impact of class on BFI funding, showing 'the dominance of those from middle class origins throughout each stage of funding' journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... (summary 🧵 coming when I get time!)

Plans to cut audio drama from BBC Radio 3 have been labelled a “devastating loss for writers and actors alike”, with critics calling it the end of the “National Theatre of the airwaves” 👇 www.thestage.co.uk/news/cuts-to...

ICYMI #ScriptSkyUK #ScriptSky

Remember to confirm your signature via the follow-up email - if you haven't had one, check your junk folder!

Today, alongside @equityuk.bsky.social + @societyofauthors.bsky.social, we have launched a petition calling on Director-General of the BBC Tim Davie to rethink plans to eradicate audio drama from BBC Radio 3 Sign the petition to Save Audio Drama at the BBC www.change.org/SADatTheBBC

Yesterday WGGB Chair Emma Reeves presented our Outstanding Contribution to Writing Award to Gwyneth Hughes and Gail Renard It was great to come together in London to honour their body of work and the mark their activism has made writersguild.org.uk/wggb-honours...

Our drama schools are facing a financial crisis, shutting down opportunities for the next generation. On @theguardian.com today, Campaign for the Arts trustee Samuel West calls for "urgent action to protect and expand everyone’s access to the arts". www.theguardian.com/education/20...

WGGB members - two exclusive online free events for your New Year diaries! 🔷 Format rights for writers - 30 Jan 🔷 Where next for UK screenwriters? 29 Jan, with guests from BFI, BBC Writers + more Find out more and register writersguild.org.uk/write-on/

🚨Casting warning update 🚨 Equity has been in touch with Netflix regarding this issue. Netflix have looked into the matter and reassured us that this example had nothing to do with them. (1/4)

1/ Playwrights in the UK are to gain landmark new terms for the digital exploitation of their work, following a deal struck between WGGB, SSP and UK Theatre

Screenwriters: so you 'survived until 2025' – now what? Join representatives from BFI, BBC Writers + more for this exclusive free online WGGB member-only event, hosted by WGGB Film Chair Tom Williams + Chair Emma Reeves 29 January, register forms.office.com/pages/respon...

📅 WGGB members – another date for your New Year diaries! Join WGGB assistant organiser and caseworker Joe Abel for this bite-sized free online session on 30 January (1-2pm) exploring the ins and outs of format rights Find out more and register forms.office.com/pages/respon...