It’s time for the first edition of the Policy Digest of 2024, wrapping up some of the key headlines in policy and research from the education and cultural sectors in the last month. 

Updates from the Policy Team 

• We will be launching our Arts SU Access to Workshops and Studios Survey on 19^th February. Due to lack of availability at UAL, many of our students hire private studios or workshops to produce their work in. However, due to the rising cost of living, students are less able to afford these rents, in addition to their accommodation. Conversely, due to the rising cost of running studios and workshops, many studios and workshops are closing across London, driving up the rent further due to increased demand and diminished supply. We want to understand what impact this is having on our students and call on UAL to intervene! 

• The Office for Students (OfS) have opened a consultation around regulating Students' Unions in relation to matters of free speech. The proposals set out a risk-based approach to monitoring whether students’ unions are complying with their free speech duties. Our Policy & Research time will be preparing a response to this consultation in the coming weeks.

Higher Education news 

• British food and drink prices will continue to rise in 2024, contributing to an extended cost-of-living crisis. UK food price inflation reached its highest since 1977 in March last year at over 19%. Though this official measure slowed to 8% in December, rising food prices remain a major strain on the finances of many households. This is an area of concern for our students, and demonstrates the necessity of ensuring the basic needs of our students are being met. You can read more here.

• Last year’s Advance HE/HEPI Student Academic Experience survey highlighted that students, on average, are working 13.5 hours a week alongside their studies. These were characterised by jobs in low-paid sectors, unrelated to their course, within health and social care, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors. You can read more here.

• The Department for Education is to investigate allegations of bad practice by agents who recruit international students to study at British universities. It follows reports claiming that overseas students are being admitted to prestigious institutions while subject to lower entry requirements than domestic students. You can read more here.

Arts / Creative Industries news 

• Artsy, the New York-based art brokerage, shared the 5 themes they believe will define the art market in 2024, including how galleries will continue to bridge the physical and digital. According to their art collectors survey, 80% of respondents purchased art online in the past 12 months, up from 76% in 2022; and according to their Art Industry Trends report, 51% of galleries reported that their online collectors are primarily new to their business. You can read more here.

• The Music Venues Trust (MVT) said financial stresses led 125 UK venues to abandon live music in 2023, with over half of these shutting entirely. Soaring utility bills and an average 37.5% rent hike put the surviving 835 venues at risk, which typically secured profits of just 0.5%, MVT said. You can read more here.

• Arts Council England has extended its 2023-26 National Portfolio Investment Programme to the end of March 2027. The decision was made by the organisation’s National Council, which considered the challenges that arts organisations face in the current operating climate. Organisations in the current portfolio will have to apply for the year's extra support. ACE plans to share more information in the spring on how and when to do so. You can read more here.