Ireland’s basic income for artists has been made permanent after research showed that it boosted the economy. Other nations have similar schemes. With more homegrown artists now coming from privileged backgrounds and AI disrupting the creative industries, should the UK follow suit?
On the first weekend of July last year, Britain’s flatlining economy got a boost from two unlikely sources: heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath and Britpop heroes Oasis. Who said rock ’n’ roll was dead?
Leaving aside for a moment the cultural significance of these iconic bands reuniting, there was an impact that could be measured in cold, hard economics.
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Estimates suggest that Sabbath’s farewell gig in Birmingham – a city that has cut its arts budget to zero – injected £20m into the local economy. Meanwhile, the UK leg of Oasis’ tour, which kicked off in Cardiff the same weekend, provided a £1bn shot in the arm to the nation’s economy. Not bad for two bands whose members were on the dole before achieving rock star status.
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For working-class creatives, music has long been an escape from hard lives. Less so these days. The record industry that propelled the likes of Sabbath and Oasis to fame is unrecognisable today. The collapse in physical record sales in the free-for-all streaming age has gutted the sector, leaving musicians struggling to make a living.
The loss of grassroots music venues – a third have closed in the UK over the last 20 years – has compounded the issue. Cuts to arts budgets have been similarly devastating, while the rise of generative AI poses further headaches for creatives of all stripes, not just musicians – and all that amid a cost of living crisis.
According to the charity Arts Emergency, such headwinds are having a disproportionate effect on working-class, disabled and minority ethnic artists, who have long been underrepresented in UK culture.
“It’s a time of great precarity for the cultural sector and society in general,” says Neil Griffiths, CEO of Arts Emergency. “Imagination and creation are products of time and space, but there isn’t the time and space anymore. Society is unequal, while culture is undervalued and underfunded.”
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As a result, often only the privileged have time to create. “Just one in 10 people who work in culture in the UK are from a working-class background,” says Griffiths.
Artist Tobias Prytz, who creates large-scale installations using timber, is a beneficiary of Norway’s model for supporting artists, receiving around 330,000 NOK (£25,600) per year
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For a country that glorifies Winston Churchill, the UK appears to have missed his memo on culture: “The arts are essential to any complete national life,” he said in a 1953 speech. “The nation owes it to itself to sustain and encourage them.”
Other nations recognise as much. In 2022, the Irish government trialled a first-of-its-kind basic income for artists to kickstart culture as the country emerged from the pandemic.
Offering participants a weekly stipend of €325 (£283), the €25m (£21m) pilot helped more than 2,000 artists. According to a study published last year, the scheme generated €100m (£87m) in “social and economic benefits” to Ireland’s economy, meaning it more than paid for itself.
Buoyed by the data, the Irish government made the scheme permanent in February. In the long history of basic income trials, it’s the first to become permanent.
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Multimedia artist Elinor O’Donovan, from Cork, is among the 2,000 creatives to have benefitted from the scheme (though at the time of going to press she was unsure whether she would re-qualify).
Imagination and creation are products of time and space but there isn’t the time and space anymore
“I don’t want to sell this idea that artists are special creatures, or whatever, but to be able to do creative work, you need time and space to think, and often that kind of creative thinking is quite difficult,” says O’Donovan.
“Before I got [the income], I worked part-time as a receptionist just to be able to afford to pay my rent. Now I work full-time as an artist. The basic income has given me the flexibility that being an artist requires.”
The income, says O’Donovan, enabled her to experiment.
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“It’s allowed me to take risks that I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. My work is better and more ambitious. I made a film for the first time and now filmmaking is a big part of what I do. Having the extra income meant that I was able to pay other people to work with me on my film.
The Irish scheme is not without critics. Some question whether the government should be funding artists at a time when other groups are slipping through the cracks. Homelessness in Ireland is currently at a record high. The scheme is also narrow in scope; while 2,000 artists benefitted, many more applied. Universal it is not.
‘With all the shitty things that are happening in the world, to bring people together through culture has never been more important’ says artist Tobias Prytz
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But, in an era when artwork is being used to train generative AI without their creators receiving any remuneration, Ireland’s scheme places a value on art and the people who produce it. “It’s so validating,” says O’Donovan.
While artists in the UK can apply for grants to help support their work, state funding for the arts has dried up in recent years. According to official data, local government funding for culture in England fell by 48% between 2009 and 2023. Similar declines were reported in Wales (40%) and Scotland (29%). This despite the arts sector contributing an estimated £10.6bn to the UK economy each year.
Like Ireland, Norway has pioneered its own model for supporting artists. A reboot of the traditional grant-funding concept, the statens kunstnerstipend programme offers a monthly salary to creatives for up to five years.
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“It’s awarded to the practitioner rather than tied to a predefined project, and may be freely used for livelihood, exploration and production,” explains Trude Gomnæs Ugelstad, head of the committee for the scheme. “This design recognises that artistic development, like other research, depends on open-ended inquiry, long-time horizons and freedom to pursue directions whose outcomes cannot be fully specified in advance.
The scheme means that I don’t have to worry about money so I have more time to write my play
Artist Tobias Prytz, who creates large-scale installations using timber, is one beneficiary. He receives around 330,000 NOK (£25,600) per year, which is roughly half Norway’s average salary.
“At first I thought ‘who am I to get this money?’,” he says. “But it has given me space to develop as an artist without having to hustle between jobs. I don’t have to compromise my art.
“With all the shitty things that are happening in the world, to bring people together through culture has never been more important,” he says.
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With research showing that engaging with culture improves health outcomes, governments have a motive beyond hard economics to support creatives. And while not every basement band will go on to be the next big thing, grassroots artists don’t need to sell out stadiums to enrich the cultural fabric of a nation.
Esther Hammecker’s play was made possible in part by France’s income support scheme for artists
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Parisian playwright Esther Hammecker is a case in point. In March, she put on her debut show in La Villette, Paris’s new cultural quarter where the city’s abattoirs used to be located. Her play– Scandaleuse, The Story of Cabaret – explores the lesser-told history of French cabaret, and was made possible in part by France’s income support scheme for artists.
“The idea that many people have of cabaret is influenced by the American vision of it, which is extremely extravagant,” she says. “But traditional French cabaret is basically just someone singing in a bistro while people have their meal. It’s more laid back, which is sort of what we’re going to do.”
Hammecker, who works part-time as an actor in a local theatre, La Scène Parisienne, is enrolled on France’s intermittents du spectacle scheme. The programme is an unemployment insurance scheme that allows performing artists and people in the entertainment industry to receive benefits during quieter periods. To qualify, participants must rack up 507 hours working in the cultural sector over a year.
“I only work at the theatre in the evenings and at weekends, so I have whole days to work on my projects,” she says. “[The scheme] means that I don’t have to worry about money or working other jobs, so I have more time to do my play.”
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‘I only work at the theatre in the evenings and at weekends, so I have whole days to work on my projects’ says Parisian playwright Esther Hammecker
The scheme is still “stressful”, she admits. “You need to constantly find a new contract to meet your minimum hours. But it’s a blessing. I’m grateful.”
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Given the parlous state of grassroots culture in the UK, and the myriad barriers faced by marginalised artists, there are calls to introduce a similar scheme to Ireland’s over here.
“There are risks,” admits Griffiths. “Will it capture people who are already privileged enough to be artists? Will it just be a Band-Aid when we need real structural change? And why just artists? We all need a safety net.”
“But,” he adds, “I think a basic income for artists is a pure necessity if we’re going to have anything like a thriving culture in this country. It’s vital that artists have the security and safety they need to be artists.”
Photography by Denis Vahey, Robbie Lee and Arne Terje Sæther
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Club: AC Milan Age: 40 Position: Midfielder Caps: 198 Goals: 29
Croatia’s captain and talisman has recovered from a fractured cheekbone on 26 April to stay on course for his 200th cap this summer.
Fifa only recognises three male players with more appearances for their country: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, is yet to decide on his future following AC Milan’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
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He was heavily relied on to dictate the team’s tempo in 2025-26 and played his most league minutes (2,788) in a season since 2010-11 with Spurs.
A glorious 13 years at Real Madrid began ignominiously when he was voted ‘worst signing of 2012’ in a poll by Madrid-based sports daily Marca.
But Modric more than proved his worth – claiming 28 trophies, including six Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles at Real.
The incident is said to have happened in Bar Lane, off Micklegate, around 10pm on Tuesday evening (June 16).
North Yorkshire Police said the arrested man is in custody and is being questioned.
A force spokesperson said: “The victim is receiving specialist support whilst the investigation continues.
“The scene has been cordoned off to the public to allow for a forensic investigation.”
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As reported by The Press, officers have been stationed between the junction of Micklegate and Bar Lane and the boundary of George Stephenson House, a Network Rail building, all morning and remain in place.
Bar Lane, off Micklegate in York has been the scene of a police cordon today (Wednesday, June 17) (Image: Kevin Glenton)
The cordoned-off area is approximately 60 metres long and is on the Bar Walls side of the road.
A steep bank runs up from a low wall towards the Bar Walls and is covered in shrubs and bushes along its length with a number of tall, mature trees covering the site.
Proprietors and staff of the various retail and hospitality businesses from Nunnery Lane as far as Trinity Lane / Barker Lane were open at various times from around 7am and one owner who cycled into work said he saw the cordon up at that time.
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The Network Rail building has been open as normal and traffic has been passing through Micklegate and Bar Lane unaffected by the cordon.
The North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Witnesses or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage are urged to come forward.
“If you can help in any way, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.
“Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by making an online report.
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“Please quote reference number 12260111552 when providing details.”
He also breached a court order by hiding devices used to store the disgusting images.
A repeat offender is in custody after he was caught with more than 18,000 child abuse photos and videos.
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Dominic Dalgleish also breached a court order by hiding devices used to store the disgusting images.
Dalgleish, 24, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted downloading and possessing indecent images at his home in Banff Place, East Kilbride, between October 2023 and November last year.
Dalgleish also admitted failing to make devices available for inspection to police officers.
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The court heard that he was convicted of possessing child abuse images in June 2023.
At that time he was given a community payback order and made the subject of a five-year sexual offences prevention order.
Dalgleish was also banned from contact with children and not allowed to go near playparks, schools or leisure centres.
Calum Frame, prosecuting, told the court this week that police armed with a search warrant went to his home on November 5 after being told about possible further offending.
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Dalgleish told them the only devices he had were a personal computer and a phone.
But when officers searched the kitchen they found an Amazon TV box and a USB stick hidden behind a kickboard.
There were child abuse images on both items.
Mr Frame stated: “In total police found !7,078 photos and 1,139 videos on devices seized in his home.”
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Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence until next month for background reports.
Dalgleish, who has been in prison since his arrest in November, was again remanded in custody.
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The cyclist’s injuries were described as serious but not life threatening
A cyclist was left with serious injuries after a hit-and-run crash. It happened in Newmarket, on the Cambridgeshire border at around 10pm on June 9 and involved a cyclist and a vehicle.
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It happened at the junction of Exning Road and Studlands Park Avenue. The cyclist, a woman, fell from her bike and the vehicle failed to stop at the scene. The woman, aged in her 30s, sustained serious but not life threatening injuries.
Suffolk Police are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash, or anyone who has dashcam footage to get in touch. Police are particularly keen to speak to two male witnesses who were believed to be in the area at the time.
Anyone with information should contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting 37/33123/26.
The Citizen Men’s Silver Chronograph Bracelet Watch has been flagged as ‘most-viewed’ on the Argos website
15:07, 17 Jun 2026Updated 15:09, 17 Jun 2026
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Shoppers preparing for Father’s Day can take advantage of substantial savings on this watch through click and collect in a major Argos sale. A watch makes for both a meaningful keepsake and a useful present, with the retailer currently offering an extensive selection of discounted watches from brands including Sekonda and Citizen, available to browse on their website here.
The Citizen Men’s Silver Chronograph Bracelet Watch has been flagged as ‘most-viewed’ on the website, with its price slashed from £200 to £120. Featuring an elegant blue face, this watch has earned nearly five stars from satisfied customers online.
On the Argos website, the full product description reads: “This Quartz men’s Chronograph watch from Citizen features a stainless steel bracelet and case, a blue dial with stopwatch functionality, date window, luminous hour and minute hands and is water resistant to 100 metres.”
Looking at the Argos reviews for the watch, one customer commented: “The watch is stunning, easy to see the time with the blue face and chrome digits. Also nice and chunky.”
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Another review stated: “This is the second Citizen watch like this I have bought for my husband for everyday wear. He just really likes the watch, he said it’s reliable and he can see the time without putting his glasses on! It’s a good looking watch. His other one lasted 15 years, so great value.”
A third satisfied buyer remarked: “I bought this as a present for my son-in-law. It was very well received!”.
Another review noted: “Amazing stylish classy watch, looks the part. Everyone likes this watch, it is amazing. Great purchase.”
That said, one customer did note that they’d prefer it if the watch was solar powered. This was reflected in a review which read: “Fantastic watch I’ve got a few Citizen watches. Lovely, just wish this one was solar powered like the rest of my other watches.”
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Another did mention that the watch is a ‘bit on the heavy side’ which could be worth bearing in mind.
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The healthcare worker was employed at the private hospital where Kate Middleton underwent abdominal surgery. They were struck off and dismissed following an investigation into allegations that medical records had been unlawfully accessed by staff in 2024.
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As previously reported by The Mirror, at least one member of staff attempted to view Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the prestigious central London hospital in January 2024. The Princess was admitted for abdominal surgery on 16 January 2024.
The ICO launched a criminal investigation in March 2024 into the unlawful obtaining and disclosure of medical information to a third party without the consent of the data controller, after the London Clinic reported a data breach.
At the time, it was reported that at least one member of staff had attempted to access Kate’s notes during her stay at the private central London hospital in January, reports the Daily Star.
The ICO announced on Wednesday: “Following a full assessment under the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the ICO’s Prosecution Policy, the ICO issued a now former healthcare professional from London with a formal caution in relation to an offence under section 170(5) of the Data Protection Act 2018.
“The conduct involved the deliberate misuse of highly sensitive personal information and an offer to disclose it for financial gain, representing a clear breach of trust.”
The ICO said a caution was “the appropriate and proportionate enforcement response”.
It added: “We also considered whether there were any wider organisational issues arising from the healthcare provision in this matter. Based on the evidence available, we did not identify any failings that would meet the threshold for regulatory enforcement.”
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Ian Hulme, executive director for regulatory supervision, said: “People should be able to trust that the personal information they’re giving to healthcare settings is safe and protected from exploitation. When this trust is broken, it’s right that the law allows us to take action.
“We will not hesitate to pursue criminal prosecution where it is necessary and proportionate to do so.”
The King was also receiving care at the facility during the same period as Kate, undergoing treatment for his enlarged prostate. During his three-night admission, doctors discovered he had a “form of cancer”, for which he continues to receive treatment.
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Buckingham Palace was contacted over the alleged breach concerning Kate, as the clinic assured the King’s private medical records had not been assessed.
Speaking to the Mirror, a source said: “This has been a complex and delicate matter involving a senior member of the royal family and one of the world’s most trusted hospitals.
“There has been great anxiousness on all sides and it has been wholly appropriate that the correct procedures during the investigation have been followed.”
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A spokesperson for The London Clinic said: “We all take considerable pride in delivering the very highest standards of care and discretion for every patient at The London Clinic. We are pleased our work with the ICO has brought this sad and isolated incident to a conclusion. There were no regulatory breaches by the hospital.”
An email shows Reform prioritising Makerfield over the seats in the North East of Scotland.
Reform UK has been accused of “giving up” in two Scottish by elections after party members were ordered to campaign in Manchester.
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Martyn Greene, Scotland Director of Nigel Farage’s right wing outfit, said a “small army” was required to stop Andy Burnham winning in Makerfield.
Polls show Burnham is the favourite to win on Thursday in a contest that could end up with him challenging Keir Starmer for the job of Prime Minister.
But two Westminster by-elections are also taking place on the same day in Scotland.
The election of SNP stalwarts Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins means there are vacancies to fill in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
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The Aberdeen South constituency has seen visits by high profile Reform figures, but an email by Greene has urged members to prioritise Makerfield.
He wrote: “Please come and help in Makerfield by-election from Monday 15th onwards. We need as many boots on the ground as we can possibly get.
“Latest polling shows it’s absolutely neck and neck between ourselves and Labour. We know that if Burnham is elected, then he will immediately seek to replace Starmer as the Prime Minister. Having a PM which is even harder to the left than Starmer will be an absolute disaster for the country!”
Greene asked members to complete a form to show which days this week they could travel to Manchester.
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He concluded: “We really do need a small army to help us campaign in these final days. Please help if you can.”
A Scottish Tory source said: “They are giving up.”
Sources say Aberdeen South is a two-way fight between the SNP and the Tories after the collapse of the Labour vote.
Insiders expect the SNP to hold the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat.
House prices in one UK city have increased by 63% over the last 10 years (Picture: Getty Images)
Over the last 10 years, Manchester has embarked on an intense period of change. Skyscrapers have been popping up left, right and centre, and every other minute, another new brunch spot seems to appear.
Against this backdrop though, is a housing market that’s becoming increasingly unaffordable for many locals, as new statistics reveal that Manchester — not London — is now the top UK city for property price growth.
Over the last 10 years, the average in the area, affectionately nicknamed ‘the rainy city,’ has skyrocketed by 63%.
Now, the average asking price for a home in Manchester is £261,891 —a steep jump on a decade ago, when the figure sat at £160,422.
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By contrast, London has flatlined, with increases of 7% between 2016 and 2026. On average, a home in the capital typically goes on the market for an eye-watering £687,080, and while it remains the most expensive city in the UK, it’s not all that far off the £639,593 sum of 10 years prior.
Up north, social media is awash with comments from those who feel nostalgic for the Manchester of years gone by, including @keirainmanchester, who said on TikTok: ‘It’s getting more and more like London every year.’
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‘I’m from the outskirts of Manc and I’ve watched it changed throughout the past 10 years,’ she continued. ‘The rent prices, the busyness, the skyscrapers, the cost of living. It’s basically London with more rain.’
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‘It’s basically London with more rain,’ says one local (Picture: Getty Images)
‘We’ve seen the area’s appeal broaden consistently’
Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert, describes Manchester as ‘a big winner of the past decade.’
She says of the new research: ‘By contrast, London has seen much slower growth over the same period, reflecting how higher prices in the capital have limited how much further buyers can stretch.
‘Areas with lower starting price points have had more room for growth, which has contributed to a widening north-south divide in price growth trends over the last 10 years.’
Manchester is a ‘success story’ of the last decade, says one expert (Picture: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Maurice Kilbride, managing director at Maurice Kilbride Residential Sales in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, says ‘strong employment opportunities, significant upward investment, excellent transport links, and a vibrant lifestyle’ have attracted buyers from across the UK.
Labelling Manchester ‘one of the UK’s standout property success stories,’ he explains: ‘What’s particularly noticeable is that the city’s success has extended well beyond the centre, with surrounding suburbs also benefitting from increased demand as buyers look for a balance of space, connectivity, and quality of life.’
‘The city has never just belonged to one type of person’
James Crawford has lived in Manchester for more than 25 years – and during that time, he’s seen it change, in parts, beyond recognition.
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When he first moved to the city in the early 2000s, Chorlton, which is about three miles south of the centre, felt relatively affordable.
He jokes that it was referred to as the ‘Notting Hill of the North,’ but one that still had an edge to it.
‘There has clearly been gentrification,’ one Mancunian says (Picture: Getty Images)
‘You could sit in a pub and be surrounded by all sorts of characters,’ the PR tells Metro. ‘It still has its own identity, but parts of it now feel more affluent and polished. It’s hard to imagine many first-time buyers getting into Chorlton now in the way they once would.
‘There has clearly been gentrification and some people will feel pushed out of the areas they would naturally have expected to live in.’
However, in his view, Manchester is ‘not London’ and places like Levenshulme, Whalley Range, and other parts of south and east Manchester are still attracting the attention of people who want to get on the ladder, particularly young professionals and families.
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‘The real issue is that people are being priced out of the exact parts of Manchester they would most like to live in,’ he says.
‘It still has affordable pockets if people are willing to look a little further out or compromise on location. The city’s growth is creating pressure, but it’s also creating new neighbourhoods and new opportunities.’
The UK cities with the fastest 10-year price growth, according to Rightmove
Manchester (average price 2026: £261,891, 10-year price change: +63%)
Wolverhampton (£229,094, +63%)
Newport (£235,275, +57%)
Nottingham (£210,238, +53%)
Wakefield (£231,581, +52%)
Salford (£226,559, +52%)
Bradford (£171,282, +51%)
Stoke-on-Trent (£174,850, +49%)
Doncaster (£186,378, +49%)
Swansea (£215,866, +48%)
These days, dad-of-four James lives in Urmston, having moved out of Chorlton because he wanted more space for his family — and, crucially, a garden.
He’s still proud to be a Mancunian, even after all these years. A DJ local to him once laughed about Stockport being the ‘new Berlin’; a sentiment which has stuck and he’s since seen repeated.
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‘The city has never just belonged to one type of person,’ he reflects.
‘Manchester has students, entrepreneurs, creatives, working class people, musicians, football fans, and people who have lived here for generations all rubbing together. That mix is part of what gives the city its energy.’
James isn’t concerned that Manchester is becoming successful. He’s proud of that fact. His concern lies in the future of the neighbourhoods that made that city ‘so attractive in the first place.’ He doesn’t want to see them become ‘so expensive they lose part of that mix.’
He concludes: ‘You want growth, better restaurants, better jobs and better places to live, but you don’t want the city to become sterile.’
Rachael Robinson, from Bolton St Catherine’s Academy, has been named a Silver Award winner in the Pearson National Teaching Awards in the Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School category.
She was recognised for her commitment to helping pupils achieve their full potential.
Ms Robinson is now in the running for the national Gold award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC One’s The One Show later this year.
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She was nominated for the award by pupils past and present, as well as colleagues and parents, all of whom praised her “fantastic” teaching and impact in the classroom.
She is one of 99 educators honoured as Silver winners on National Thank a Teacher Day, which celebrates the work of teachers and the positive difference they make every day.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago.
Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “The dedication and impact of those involved in educating young people is truly remarkable.
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“Their influence extends well beyond the classroom.
“Long before children find their voice, their confidence, or their calling, there is usually a teacher who helped them get there, working patiently and persistently, and often without any recognition at all.
“That is what makes National Thank a Teacher Day so important.
“It is a rare and well-deserved moment to celebrate our teachers and say we are grateful.
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“I am especially proud to congratulate this year’s Silver award winners.
“In a world that moves quickly and demands so much, you have chosen to invest your time, energy and passion into future generations, and that is something truly worth celebrating.”
Sharon Hague, CEO of Pearson UK, also paid tribute to this year’s winners.
Ms Hague said: “For many of us, a teacher was the person who helped us believe in ourselves and recognise what we were capable of.
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“Every day, educators support young people to be the best they can be, nurturing their potential and leaving a lasting impact that follows them into adulthood.
“We are proud to take this opportunity to say thank you to the teachers up and down the country who make our schools so special.”
Bridget Phillipson, secretary of state for education, said: “On Thank a Teacher Day we stop to appreciate the extraordinary lengths teachers go to, every single day, to inspire the young people in their classrooms.
“I know more than most how great teachers shape young lives.”
The study, known as the AFFECT trial, is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and launched by the Academic Cardiovascular Unit (ACU) at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
It aims to determine the safest and most effective blood-thinning medication for patients with heart rhythm problems following heart valve surgery.
Professor Enoch Akowuah, chief investigator for the AFFECT trial at University Hospitals Tees, said: “This is an important question for both patients and clinicians.
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“We know anticoagulation is essential for patients with atrial fibrillation after mitral valve repair, but we do not yet know which treatment offers the best balance of safety and protection.
“The AFFECT Trial will provide high-quality evidence to guide national treatment decisions and improve long-term outcomes for patients across the UK and internationally.”
Each year, thousands of people in the UK undergo surgery for mitral regurgitation, a condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward into the left atrium.
This places extra strain on the heart and can result in fatigue, breathlessness, and eventually heart failure.
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Patients with additional heart rhythm disorders typically require blood-thinning medication to reduce the risk of stroke and other complications after surgery.
Current clinical guidelines recommend a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) such as warfarin, though direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now also widely used.
The trial will compare these options to identify which offers the best long-term results.
The study aims to enrol 1,282 adults undergoing mitral valve repair at cardiothoracic centres nationwide.
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Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a DOAC or a VKA, starting before discharge, with patients then being closely monitored for at least 12 months, with further annual check-ups for up to four years.
Researchers will evaluate stroke prevention, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.
More than 130 patients have already enrolled and begun treatment.
Eligible patients are approached for participation by their clinical teams.
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