The Local Manifesto Pledges initiative is a campaign to persuade the main political parties in all London boroughs to sign up to five policies that will support Live Performance in the capital.

Equity’s London branches have created a list of policies, that would help develop this sector, to put live entertainment on the agenda in the run up to the capital’s local elections in May.

The campaign asks parties to recognise that Live Performance is a vital part of civic culture, which should be at the heart of a borough’s mission, whether in public health, a growing and diverse local economy, or improving educational attainment and community cohesion. It asks for a commitment to:

• Ensure the payment of industry rates for all productions or events which receive support directly or in kind from our local authority, in line with Arts Council requirements for nationally funded work

• Guarentee that alongside provision from an arts department, money for professional live performance is part of multiple departments’ budgets, showing the key role it plays in delivering a council’s strategic objectives – such as regeneration, education, parks, libraries and public health.