Class and socio-economic background are recognised as barriers to opportunity (Let’s Create, Arts Council England).

The recent sea change in funding for the country’s creative industries, compounded by the impact of COVID-19 on theatres highlights the difference between the rhetoric and reality. Comparatively, a move away from London for the national broadcasters whilst seeing more people like ‘us’ on our TV screens is a catalyst for change.

Christopher Eccleston shares his story as a working class actor and the need to keep voices such as his, alive across the arts and cultural scene, and why this is fundamental to society at large.