The success of creatives in the good times has been rewarded with exclusion in the bad times

The Chancellor had an opportunity to address the gaping holes in support for the self-employed, but yet again they have been left disappointed, Bectu said today (25 November).

Chancellor Rishi Sunak. (Photo by Simon Walker HM Treasury)

Responding to the Spending Review, Philippa Childs, head of Bectu, said:

“If the Chancellor wants to build a sustainable recovery, he must support the highly skilled professionals in the creative industries who provided a much needed bright spot during the last recession.

“Bectu analysis of ONS data shows that between 2008 and 2018 the contribution to the UK economy of creative, arts and entertainment activities grew three times as much as the UK industry average. Motion picture, video and TV programme production grew by six times as much.

“The success and hard work of creatives during the good times has been rewarded with support schemes that many cannot access during the bad times. The Chancellor must urgently address the flaws in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, which is excluding thousands of self-employed and freelance creatives, so that they can build the UK’s economic recovery for the second time this century.”