Performers union Equity is to launch a new Comedians’ Charter at the Fringe, comprising a set of standards for venues and promoters to sign up to, ensuring the safety and fair treatment of comedians. These include policies on pay transparency and late-night safety. The launch will take place at a to-be-announced comedy venue in Edinburgh on Sunday 7 August.

The union has also responded to the controvery over the Fringe Society's decision not to have an App for the Edinburgh Fringe 2022. Comedians have complained that the App is one of the reasons they pay the registration fee to the Fringe Society, which can be up to £400. They have reportedly been offered full refunds but this will mean that their listing will be removed from the website.

The Fringe Society has pointed out that the website has the "nearby now" function, one of the things that performers say helps to sell last minute tickets.. 

Rob Lugg, Equity’s Organiser for Comedians, says: “We appreciate that the Fringe Society has apologised and acknowledged that they got the communication badly wrong regarding the removal of the Fringe app. We’re also pleased to note their assurances that the 'Nearby Now' function will be available on a website that is properly optimised for both desktop and mobile devices.

“However, after consulting our members, we feel that the Fringe Society should go further and offer partial refunds to those who paid for registration before the announcement that the app would not be available this year. This would be an important goodwill gesture and help repair the damaged relationship with performers at this year’s Fringe.

“The removal of the Fringe app could impact ticket sales as well as accessibility for disabled audience members. This is concerning as two years of Covid restrictions have hit our members hard, and with an out of control cost-of-living crisis, the biggest threat to the future of the Edinburgh Fringe is performers deciding that they cannot afford to take part.”

Equity also called on comedians to join their union. Performers are facing numerous obstacles at this year’s Fringe Festival from hgh rents to transport and venue costs. Equity says: "We believe these problems are systemic and can only be addressed by working together collectively. For instance, by coming together to lobby for rent caps in Edinburgh and for digs beyond. We are therefore calling on comedians and performers across the country to join the union and work to build collective power to transform the industry."