This week, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freelancers met representatives from across different disciplines in the creative industries for their first evidence session in Parliament, exploring how the Government can better support freelancers during periods of economic uncertainty and crisis.
The session focused on how stronger, more flexible support frameworks could be developed for freelancers in times of economic shock, drawing on lessons from Covid-19 support schemes including SEISS and the exclusions from furlough.
Witnesses also discussed existing gaps in eligibility, delivery and communication of support; the impact on freelancers working in the creative industries; and how government departments including DWP, DBT and HMRC, as well as arm’s length bodies can better engage with the freelance workforce.
Evidence was heard from Marcus Ryder, CEO of The Film and TV Charity; Anna Ganley, Chief Executive of the Society of Authors; Julie Lomax, CEO of A-N, The Artists’ Information Network; Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union; and Cranks Crankshaw, Chair of Actors’ Children’s Trust.
Marcus Ryder (FTVC) highlighted the financial and well-being impacts of lack of support on freelancers in the Film and TV sector. Their research found that most freelancers in the sector have little or no savings and are taking on debt in order to survive the gaps in work. Marcus also noted that only 12% think it is a mentally healthy place to work, highlighting the lack of access to Employee Assistance (EAP) schemes to provide mental health support and emphasised the need for continuity of care as freelancers move from contract to contract. He called for a deeper partnership with policy makers to improve understanding of freelancers and the structural failings affecting them, and a review of the financial and well-being support models.
The session is the first in a series of discussions aimed at improving Parliament's understanding of the UK's freelance workforce and informing the work of the proposed Freelancer Champion.
Directors UK supports the APPG's commitment to ensuring the experiences of freelancers are reflected in future policy discussions and looks forward to contributing to ongoing conversations about building more resilient support systems for the UK's creative workforce.
The APPG secretariat is provided by Bectu, ALCS, DACS, Directors UK, and Freelancers Make Theatre Work.