Comedians and industry workers urged to contribute

The second survey of the UK live comedy sector has been launched today. 

Last year, 366 people completed a questionnaire which led to an estimate that the industry was worth £1billion a year to the British economy.

Now anyone working in the business is invited to complete the 2025 survey, led by the Live Comedy Association industry body, before August 18. All answers are anonymous.

Last year, two-thirds of the people who responded  were comedians while the other third were comedy promoters, producers, venue managers, agents or elsewhere.

The initial study led to industry representatives being invited to a Department for Culture, Media & Sport select committee meeting in the Commons to discuss the challenges facing live comedy. Read our in-depth report of the session here.

One aim is to get live comedy recognised as an art form when it comes to unlocking funding from the likes of the Arts Council.

Creative industries minister Sir Chris Bryant has said he is also ‘keen to have a round-table meeting with the sector’, noting that live comedy ‘is an important part of the cultural sector and industry’.

Jessica Toomey, co-chair of the LCA, said the first survey ‘was vital to our work and making our voice heard by politicians and decision-makers.  For the very first time, we know what our sector looks like, how many people are employed and what our collective impact is.  

‘We also now know that the sector is worth over £1billion to the UK economy and have been using the data to advocate for more support for people working in live comedy.  

‘However, we need to keep up the pressure on governments and policymakers and our annual sector survey is a crucial part of us hearing from those working in live comedy and understanding more.'

Following the DCMS committee session, its chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, said ‘Despite its widespread and enduring role in our cultural landscape, we should not be fooled into thinking that it’s always a barrel of laughs for our nation’s stand-ups, small venues, festivals and those that make the mirth happen behind the scenes. 

‘Like so many other of our successful creative industries, it can be a precarious place to be and no joke for those away from the glare of the big stage spotlight.  Our session shone a spotlight on the challenges faced by live comedy and whether there is more that can be done to keep the laughter coming.’

The survey is a collaboration between the Live Comedy Association, British Comedy Guide, and the Centre for Comedy Studies Research at Brunel University London.

Published: 15 Jul 2025