Creative freelancers' renewal and progression throughout and after the pandemic
In a bid to support the recovery and growth of the creative freelance sector, the UK government has unveiled a series of measures aimed at boosting the industry, ensuring the voices of freelancers are heard in policy-making, and providing much-needed financial support, skills development opportunities, and structural reforms.
Jo Chandler, a postgraduate student at Edinburgh College of Art, played a crucial role in planning and writing up the Industry Champions panel on creative freelancers, which took place in March 2021. The panel, organised in partnership with the Centre for Cultural Value, focused on the impacts of the pandemic on creative industries freelancers in the UK.
One of the key initiatives announced is the £380 million Creative Industries Sector Plan, which aims to boost regional growth and innovation across all parts of the UK. This plan prioritises the creative freelance workforce by ensuring their voices are heard in policy-making and tracks progress through annual reporting to Parliament.
Another significant move is the appointment of a Creative Freelance Champion, who will advocate for freelance workers within government structures and the Creative Industries Council. This role aims to ensure freelancers’ concerns are raised at the highest decision-making levels and help shape future policy and support.
To facilitate participation in major creative trade events and provide opportunities for networking, showcasing, and exporting UK creative talent internationally, additional funding has been allocated. Programmes like the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN, which supports emerging designers with business mentoring and showcases at London Fashion Week, will benefit freelance creatives in fashion and design.
Skills programmes are also a key focus, aiming to strengthen the talent pool and support freelancers’ professional development. These measures, along with industry-led agreements and platforms, such as the Creative Content Exchange platform for intellectual property creation and monetisation, are expected to provide critical support for freelancers relying on these revenue streams.
The government’s createch strategy also integrates creative freelancers working at the intersection of creative innovation and cutting-edge technology, expected to contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation in the sector.
However, it's important to recognise that creative freelancers, making up about 32% of the creative workforce, have been underserved by past policies, especially exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to inadequate income support. Key areas for continued policy development include skills, immigration, and employment protections tailored to freelancers’ unique circumstances.
These measures demonstrate a comprehensive approach to powering recovery and growth within the freelance creative economy in the UK by combining financial investment, advocacy, skills development, innovation promotion, and structural reforms. The continued inclusion of freelancers' voices in policy decisions and the monitoring of sector outcomes are crucial to ensuring these interventions meet the evolving needs of this diverse workforce.
For more details, you can access the briefing at [https://www.our website/policy-briefings/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-freelancers-in-the-creative-industries].
[1] Chandler, J. (2021) Insights from our industry champions - recovery and growth for creative freelancers during and post-pandemic. London: Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. [2] The Northern Creative Corridor - Connecting Creative Clusters Across Northern Regions. [3] The policy brief "Industry-led Agreements and Platforms" - Supporting Freelancers in the Creative Industries. [4] The policy brief "Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns". [5] The policy brief "Recognition of Freelancers’ Vulnerabilities and Ongoing Challenges" - Addressing the Needs of Creative Freelancers in the UK.
- The UK government's Creative Industries Sector Plan, worth £380 million, prioritizes the creative freelance workforce and aims to boost regional growth and innovation across the UK.
- Jo Chandler, a postgraduate student, played a vital role in planning and writing up the Industry Champions panel on creative freelancers, focusing on the impacts of the pandemic on these individuals in the UK.
- An appointment of a Creative Freelance Champion within government structures and the Creative Industries Council aims to ensure freelancers’ concerns are raised at the highest decision-making levels and help shape future policy and support.
- In order to facilitate participation in major creative trade events and provide opportunities for networking, showcasing, and exporting UK creative talent internationally, additional funding has been allocated.
- Skills programmes are a key focus, aiming to strengthen the talent pool and support freelancers’ professional development through industry-led agreements and platforms.
- The government's createch strategy integrates creative freelancers working at the intersection of creative innovation and cutting-edge technology, expected to contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation in the sector.
- The Northern Creative Corridor is an initiative that connects creative clusters across northern regions, fostering collaboration and innovation in the arts and industries.
- Policy briefs like "Industry-led Agreements and Platforms" support freelancers in the creative industries, while others, such as "Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns," look at ways to stimulate growth in underserved regions.
- The policy brief "Recognition of Freelancers’ Vulnerabilities and Ongoing Challenges" addresses the unique circumstances of freelancers, including inadequate income support, and advocates for continued policy development in areas like skills, immigration, and employment protections.
- Data and evidence are crucial in monitoring sector outcomes and ensuring that interventions meet the evolving needs of the diverse creative freelance workforce.
- Various educational institutions and self-development resources, such as the policy-and-legislation and general-news sections of websites like [https://www.our website/policy-briefings/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-freelancers-in-the-creative-industries], offer valuable information and insights for freelancers to stay informed and empowered in their creative practices and careers.
