BAPLA was one of the signatories of the Creative Industry Federation’s letter to Rishi Sunak MP in support of the self-employed in the UK’s creative workforce.
A recent survey from the Federation on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic found that 60% of creative freelancers predict their income will more than halve in 2020 and over 50% of survey respondents said they already had 100% of their work cancelled.
A support package for freelancers announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak on 26 March means that self-employed workers and freelancers who have lost work due to the pandemic will be able to apply to the government for a cash grant of 80% of their profits up to £2,500 per month to replace lost earnings. Grants will be paid in a single lump sum covering 3 months and will start to be paid at the beginning of June.
Caroline Norbury MBE, CEO of the Creative Industries Federation and Creative England, commented:
It is welcome that the voice of the creative sector has been heard and government is going to stand by the majority of the UK’s self employed and freelance workers, as called for in our open letter to the Chancellor this week. We now must ensure that this package is comprehensive and interim relief is immediately accessible.
