IR35 delay welcome, but more must be done for freelancers, says Bectu

Upon the announcement that IR35 tax reforms will be pushed back a year, we have welcomed this announcement, but we are insisting that more is done to help freelancers.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay announced the delay to IR35 in the House of Commons last night.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“Bectu welcomes the delay to IR35. We have been calling for IR35 changes to be delayed for some time and the urgency for this to happen has been amplified by the coronavirus crisis.

“Now is not the time to introduce complicated measures that the private sector of the economy was not fully prepared for. This will provide some small relief for many freelancers who are now dealing with a scarcity of work due to coronavirus.

“Although this is a welcome move, alongside mortgage holidays, the government must do more to specifically support freelancers and the self-employed who are facing extremely challenging and uncertain times. Further measures need to be introduced to ensure that freelancers who facing their entire livelihoods being wiped out are not left in financial ruin.”

What Bectu is calling for to help freelancers

• interest-free tax back loans
• other forms of borrowing such as credit card interest being suspended or slashed to zero
• help for renters.