A "class shaped hole" exists across the performing arts in Britain, a report into a lack of diversity in the industry has found.

The Acting Up report, led by two Labour MPs, Tracy Brabin, who has had a career as an actress, and Gloria De Piero, says that talent schools are often too expensive to apply to and should have a flat application fee.

Although many well-known actors come from working class backgrounds, such as James McAvoy, who grew up in Drumchapel in Glasgow, the report said that despite concerns about access and diversity in the arts, there is a "class shaped hole" that needs to be addressed both on and off the stage and screen.

De Piero said: "To get to heart of the diversity debate we shouldn’t just be talking about the Benedicts and Edwards dominating our screens, we should look at the Hugos and Crispins dominating behind the scenes too."

In the report, an actor called Chris, from Scotland, adds: "Shows like Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Boys from the Black Stuff, films like Kes, Rita Sue and Bob Too, Educating Rita... you just don’t see work like this anymore or working class people in working class roles."

The authors say that drama schools are too expensive to apply to and "instances of racism and snobbishness inside them are too common."

It adds: "Audition fees of up to £100 are not justifiable when interviews at other universities including Oxford and Cambridge are free. "The industry won't change unless drama schools change."

The report notes that the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow charges £45 for auditions, the joint cheapest in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the RCS said: "RCS’s audition fees are among the least expensive in the UK and fee waivers are considered for those demonstrating financial need."

The Acting Up report says: "Particular complaints were voiced from unsuccessful applicants who felt that they were charged a significant amount of money to audition and then were given no feedback when they were unsuccessful.

"Some also felt that drama schools used this process as a money making machine, repeatedly auditioning students for a fee, knowing there was little chance the student would be successful."

The study follows a recent paper by academics from the London School of Economics and the University of Edinburgh, which found

that 16% of actors come from a working class background whereas 51% have a privileged background.

The study also says that a "widespread culture of low and no pay in the performing arts is holding all but the most well off talent back."

It says the UK Government should review National Minimal Wage enforcement and "look at illegal pay practices in the performing arts and ensure that the minimum wage is paid to those entitled to it."

Acting union Equity’s recent survey found that 11% earned nothing from their work, and 67% earned either nothing or under £10,000 per year.

The report also says that broadcasters, film companies and theatres need to do more to develop working class and diverse talent.

Tracy Brabin MP said: "Our performing arts are some of the best in the world and they should represent our whole nation, not just a privileged section of it.

"But the systematic eradication of arts education in schools, sky high drama school audition fees, chronic low pay and a lack of diversity behind the scenes are all contributing to a diversity crisis on our stages and screens.

"Cracking this crisis is political, we can’t just leave the industry to drive change."

Rakie Ayola, the actor starring as Hermione in JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, said: "Too often schools discourage the arts, with the idea that if you stop kids doing music or drama they’ll all become bankers or doctors, it’s ridiculous.

"There are drama clubs on every corner where I live in Greenwich [in London], but only if you can pay £25 a session.

"Maybe that’s why I so often look around a cast of 10 and realise I’m the only one that went to a state school."

The report is based on two evidence sessions held in Parliament and over 100 submissions from senior figures across the industry.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of the RCS said: "As Scotland’s national conservatoire we embrace a commitment to improving diversity that aims to develop greater BAME [Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic] representation within our staff and student community.

"We are equally committed to enhancing our socio-economic diversity and have a vibrant widening access programme that spans all ages. Additionally, we are committed here at RCS to those who have been looked after at home, or in residential, foster or kinship care, as well as those with different physical abilities."