A range of potentially ‘game-changing’ tax and benefits policies to support screen freelancers have been outlined in an industry-backed report into retaining talent.
The study, Making Freelance Pay, was commissioned by the British Screen Forum and the Film + TV Charity to examine how the UK could adapt policies in place in Germany, France, South Korea, Spain, Ireland and Sweden to sustain the industry’s freelance workforce.
It aims to influence policymakers on the screen industry, where freelancers face acute income security, period overwork and work-related stress, and earn around 80% of the rates of workers with equivalent qualifications in other industries.
Modelling the policies on six freelancer types – those on average, high and low incomes, young people, disabled people, and those working outside of London – the report identified several options to consider.
Adopting a 'basic income for the arts' model that has been piloted in Ireland, or a Swedish-style minimum hourly wage fore creative work, could increase freelancers’ disposable income by up to around 50%, while a housing support policy akin to one in South Korea could benefit freelancers with dependent children.
By contrast, policies in place in France and Germany, which provide unemployment support and help with National Insurance contributions, delivered comparatively small improvements for all but the highest earners.
Doris Ruth Eikhof, professor of cultural economy and policy at the University of Glasgow’s College of Arts and Humanities and one of the authors of the reports said the report offers “concrete solutions” to help retain the screen industry’s diverse talent pool.
“We are at a critical crossroads for the UK's globally leading film and TV industries,” she added.
“Since the pandemic, compounded by the production downturn, strikes and cost of living crisis, we’ve seen alarming numbers of skilled freelancers leaving the sector.
“We need fresh ideas to attract and keep the people that film and TV industries so desperately need … screen-specific basic income policies or housing support for creative workers could be real game changers.”
The report has been backed by organisations including Bectu, Equity, Directors UK and the BFI.
Directors UK chief executive Andy Harrower said that his organisation had found that 78% of screen directors feel their income is unstable.
He said the report “furthers the argument that there is an urgent need to support creative freelancers in earning a stable living. Importantly, it offers real world ideas for how those in power could use tax and benefits policies to make significant impact to the creators struggling to sustain a viable career.”
The report can be downloaded here
