Creative freelancers across the North are being urged to take part in a survey that seeks to “empower freelance workers and organisations to drive change and build greater equality into our freelance workforce.”
The Redesigning Freelance initiative is taking place across nine combined authorities nationally, including five in the North of England, and comes from Creative UK, the national network for the Creative Industries.
According to DCMS; just under one third (32 per cent) of the creative workforce is freelance, compared to 16 per cent across the UK generally. Leading creative organisations such as Sky, BFI, IPSE, Freelancer Club, Scottish Ballet, March for the Arts, Society of Authors and many others are getting behind the survey, which aims to shape industry standards, drive change and futureproof all parts of the work environment for freelancers across the sector to create greater long-term value and sustainability into the freelance ecology.
Caroline Norbury OBE, CEO of Creative UK said: “Freelancers are the backbone of the creative industries. Yet economic uncertainty means we risk losing the next generation of creative freelancers – particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. We can already see that freelancers are leaving the sector, with skills gaps becoming a major issue across all parts of the UK. However, being a freelancer can be a rewarding career, allowing for greater flexibility and variety. It is our collective responsibility to ensure more is done to protect our freelancers, integrate them with organisations in order to build better partnerships and make sure there is a fair and equal playing field. This survey will help us to identify the key priorities that need action now.”
Neil Peplow, director of industry and international affairs at the BFI added: “The BFI welcomes this survey, which recognises that freelancers face many challenges and that they may work across different creative industries. Film and TV employs a high proportion of freelance workers who help make the UK a world-class production location. As highlighted in the BFI Skills Review 2022, it is vital that these freelancers are supported to progress and develop their careers if the UK is to grow and retain a highly skilled workforce.”
The five Northern regions where Creative UK is seeking freelancers to take part in the survey are: North of Tyne Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority Greater Manchester Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority portfolio holder for culture, tourism and the visitor economy, said: “We recognise and value the huge contribution that creative freelancers make to our cultural and creative offer, making the Liverpool City Region such a vibrant place to live, work and do business in. That’s why we’re supporting this Redesigning Freelancing research to better understand their needs, provide insights into specific skills gaps and priorities required to support and ensure our freelancers can continue to make that contribution while making a decent living.”
The Redesigning Freelance survey is open until January 9, 2024 and can be found on the Creative UK website along with more information about its aims.
