Bectu rejects tax payment proposals that fail to reflect freelance realities

Bectu has responded to the Government’s Timely Payment consultation, warning that proposals to reform Income Tax Self Assessment payments risk creating financial hardship for creative freelancers unless significant safeguards are introduced.

Alongside Bectu’s submission, more than 800 members have submitted responses to the Government consultation using Bectu’s template, demonstrating widespread concern about the impact the proposals could have on workers with irregular incomes.

Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu, said: “The creative industries are a driving force of the UK economy and depend on a highly flexible workforce, but too often policy is designed around assumptions of stable and predictable employment. More than 800 Bectu members have joined our call for a system that recognises the reality of project-based work, irregular earnings and periods between contracts. Any reforms must include flexibility, choice and strong safeguards to ensure freelancers are not left worse off. This misguided proposal is further evidence of the lack of understanding that exists in government about working practices in the sector, and of the need for the government’s Freelance Champion to be appointed and start work immediately.”

In its response, Bectu argues that any move towards more timely tax payments must reflect the realities of freelance work, including fluctuating earnings, late payment and the widespread use of mixed PAYE and self-employed working arrangements.

Read Bectu’s full response to the consultation here