Creative UK has joined the call for the government to appoint a freelance commissioner as part of a five-point proposal of urgent reforms to how the creative industries support their freelance workforce.
In a survey of almost 1,300 freelancers, more than 300 of whom work in film and TV, the organisation found that 64% have received low or unfair pay at some point in their careers, while an “overwhelming majority” reported that late payments made it difficult to meet everyday payments such as rent or bills.
With freelancers making up almost 30% of the creative industries workforce – twice as much as in any other sector – and with 66% reporting less work in the five years since the Covid-19 pandemic, Creative UK highlighted five areas to address:
- Developing talent - revisions to the curriculum, careers advice and continuous professional development opportunities for freelancers
- Work and pay practices - the extension of sick pay and parental leave to freelancers, and addressing the issue of low pay
- Payment protection - strengthening requirements for prompt payment practices to safeguard against late payments and financial instability
- Planning for the future - tailored financial products and pension schemes that accommodate the unique needs of freelancers
- Championing freelancers across government - appointing a freelancer commissioner within the government to drive action and improve working conditions
The Forging Freelance Futures report also highlighted structural inequalities, such as ‘performative rather than substantive’ diversity and inclusion measures, a lack of workplace and job application adjustments for disabled freelancers, and working class respondents stymied by a reliance on unpaid work and limited industry connections.
Caroline Norbury, chief executive of Creative UK, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic changed so much about all of our working lives – but this is especially true for freelancers. As this report lays out, many who work in this way have found opportunities to be more precarious than ever. We need to find ways to better support this vital part of the creative workforce – and to create new systems in a post-Covid world.
“This means adapting provision within both the public and private sector to ensure it is more fit for purpose, incentivising the creation of new products and services that support the freelance workforce, and in the process, unlocking the potential of an expert, committed, agile and flexible workforce. It’s vital that we get this right – for creatives, and for the wider economy.”
Bectu head Philippa Childs welcomed the organisation’s support for a freelance commissioner.
“Freelancers are critical to the UK economy and to the future of our world-leading creative industries,” she wsaisaid. “But they face a unique set of challenges and continue to get a raw deal, battling the ebbs and flows of the business cycle and lacking many of the protections that employees enjoy. The government must recognise these challenges and be proactive in addressing them if this significant part of the UK workforce is to thrive.”
