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Things are changing minute by minute so do keep checking bectu.org.uk and bectu.org.uk/news/ for latest updates.

Desperate need for freelancers’ safety net – Bectu steps up
pressure on Covid-19

Dear Member

Bectu continues to argue your corner and lobby for better support from the government for our freelancers and others whose livelihoods have been hit so devastatingly by the coronavirus crisis.

As arts venues, film and TV productions and live events close down across the UK we are pressing the Chancellor and Culture Secretary to immediately introduce measures specifically to support freelancers, the self-employed, casual workers and zero hours contracts today in the government announcement at 5pm.

Bectu has written to them to highlight the predicament you are in. Read more here. While we welcome the delay to IR35 tax changes for a year and the introduction of mortgage and rent holidays, it is not enough.

A staggering 5,600 of you responded to our coronavirus survey, which closed on Monday 16 March at 6pm. A shocking 71% of freelancers’ biggest fear was not being able to pay their bills because of the work they’ve lost – remember this was before the government advised people to stay indoors and avoid large gatherings.

Our latest demands

Bectu is lobbying for as a bare minimum:

• Direct financial support for freelance and self-employed workers.This would most easily be delivered in the form of a retroactive tax rebate.
• Deferment of the 31 July tax deadline alongside the announced delay of IR35.
• Interest free loans and measures to eliminate or suppress credit card interest to prevent debt spirals.
• Drastic simplification of the Universal Credit application process.

How we are getting your voices heard

All of our focus is on opening up channels of communication with government and ensuring that your voices are heard. Other steps we have taken include:

• All MPs have received a briefing on freelancers with calls to action.
• Labour MP Alison McGovern put questions on the specific issues facing freelancers to Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the Treasury Select Committee on Wednesday.
• We await details of the government’s proposals for income support and have made the argument forcefully to government and opposition that any measures must include support for the self-employed and freelancers. The union has also put specific questions concerning freelancers to the Department for Work and Pensions and we will keep members informed of any guidance we receive.
• Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy is in constant communication with the TUC and politicians to make the case for our members.

Shadow minister speaks up for creative industries

We sent our early survey findings to Tracy Brabin, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who is proving to be a real ally to the creative industries. See her letter to the Chancellor here

Bectu freelancers' survey

On Wednesday 18 March we shared the finding that 97% of you had lost confidence in the government’s response to freelance concerns. More here

Our survey findings have  been picked up by several media outlets including the front page of Guardian Online, Variety, The Stage and more (links at the bottom of this email). Our member from the London Venue Technicians branch, John Rogers, was featured on the BBC Six O'Clock News on the same day. Watch here

And another Bectu member, Graham Dakin, of the London Union of Crew, was on BBC News channel,where he said this is “a matter of life and death for the self-employed".

Talking to employers and trade bodies

Officials and reps are speaking with employers and trade bodies across all Bectu industries (TV/film, cinemas, outdoor events, theatre, the arts, etc.) about venue closures and what policies around pay and T&Cs during the pandemic will be.

Reps and officials are trying to feed back on this at branch level, so please read any communications coming from your Bectu branch. Your reps have been working so hard on behalf of members and Bectu staff would like to express our thanks for their amazing efforts during this unprecedented time.

Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Acas links

• You can find the Coronavirus ACAS guidance for employees here
• For our self-employed and zero hours members, we recommend looking into the current government benefit options. Information on Universal Credit is here
• Information on the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is here

We suggest you call for a phone assessment. Feedback we are currently receiving is that you should make sure to get any outstanding invoices paid before applying for ESA as that could affect payments.

See below for more updates on Bectu actions in the last week and further useful resources.

Philippa Childs, head of Bectu

Pictured below Philippa Childs, Mike Clancy and Tracy Brabin

STOP PRESS – STATEMENT FROM MIKE CLANCY

Please read this statement from Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy to all members.

In it Mike says Prospect is putting all our members first and is open for support. The union is rapidly changing the way it works so that we can be there for you. Prospect national conference has been cancelled and training events postponed.

Information on Bectu subscriptions

In these difficult times we remind members that our subscription system allows for adjustment in payments where income is reduced. Please contact the membership team on 0207 346 0900 or email membership@bectu.org.uk should you need to discuss a change in your subscriptions.

In addition we are actively reviewing subscription measures to support members most affected by Covid-19 related reductions or termination of work. We also have certain automated features to our system which moves members through the banded rates, which we will adjust as soon as possible.

We are acutely aware of the need to support members through this period whilst ensuring the union can continue to operate on your behalf.

Bectu advice and resources

• TV, film and commercials – Our organising officials have put together dedicated advice for production freelancers in TV, film and commercials – see here –  or download a pdf to print and share with colleagues here
• Arts and Entertainment – Advice from assistant national secretary Helen Ryan for members in theatres, outdoor events and cinema – see here  Expect more crucial updates in the near future as we continue discussions with employers
• Bectu advice on Covid-19 and work – see here
• Bectu news – Quick link here

 Follow us on social media

• Twitter – https://twitter.com/bectu
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BECTUOfficial/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bectuunion/
• Philippa Childs on Twitter https://twitter.com/philippachilds

External industry help

The following list may be of use to those who are experiencing financial and wellbeing difficulties.

• Film and Television Charity https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/ helpline 0800 054 0000
• Theatre Helpline (health and wellbeing advice) Call 0800 915 4617 or email advice@theatrehelpline.org
• The Artist General Benevolent Fund (Artists) https://www.agbi.org.uk/
• Help for Musicians (musicians and music related roles) https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/
• NABS (advertising and media industries) https://nabs.org.uk/
• Royal Variety Charity http://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-c
• Live Events PSA Stagehand Welfare and Benevolent Fund https://www.psa.org.uk/pages/about-welfare-and-benevolent-fund