Bectu endorses Creative UK report and echoes call for a freelance commissioner

24 March 2025

Creative UK has launched a new report, endorsed by Bectu, calling for enhanced support structures for freelancers in the creative industries and echoing the call for the Government to appoint a freelance commissioner.

Forging Freelance Futures is based on a survey of 1272 freelancers and over 200 organisations that work with freelancers.

The report found that:

  • Two-thirds (64%) of survey respondents reported experiencing low or unfair pay at some point in their careers – while an overwhelming majority of freelancers that took part in the research reported that late payments impacted their ability to meet everyday payments, from rent to bills.
  • Freelancers are facing heightened challenges due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a reduction in freelance work, with two-thirds (66%) of respondents highlighting this as an issue.
  • Almost 30% of the creative industries workforce operate on a freelance basis (twice as much as any other sector).

The report identifies several areas for reform, including the need to champion freelancers across government. This echoes Bectu’s calls for the appointment of a Freelance Commissioner at the heart of government.

The report outlines how a commissioner would drive cross-government action to improve freelancers’ working conditions and recognise the crucial role for freelancers in the UK’s £125bn creative economy.

Read more on Creative UK’s website.

Welcoming the report, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “Freelancers are critical to the UK economy and to the future of our world-leading creative industries. But they face a unique set of challenges and continue to get a raw deal, battling the ebbs and flows of the business cycle and lacking many of the protections that employees enjoy. The government must recognise these challenges and be proactive in addressing them if this significant part of the UK workforce is to thrive.

“Alongside other industry voices like Creative UK, Bectu has been vocal about the need for a dedicated advocate for freelancers in government. We welcome this important report on how to strengthen both freelancer protections and the creative economy and stand ready to engage with government and industry on a plan for appointing a Freelance Commissioner.”