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March 2020 - Media and PR

7 in 10 creative freelancers worried they won't be able to pay bills due to coronavirus crisis: A survey of freelancers working across film, TV and other creative industries has found that 71% are worried about earning enough to pay their bills due to lost work and income.

The research by Bectu, the union for creative ambition, polled 5,600 freelancers, 83% of whom work in theatres, TV, film, art galleries and art studios. The survey closed on Monday (16th March) - before the government recommended social distancing measures to delay the spread of the virus.

The poll found that almost half the respondents polled (46%) have lost money already since the outbreak began.

Around a quarter of the freelancers polled in the study (1,500 participants) offered further insight into loss of income, with 591 revealing they have lost up to £2,000 so far. Others reported losing between £2,000 and £5,000 (457), while 456 have lost upwards of £5,000. 

When asked about their future loss of income, 783 people said they may lose up to £20,000 because of the crisis, while 437 are fearful of losing between £20,000 -£40,000, and 131 people said a loss of over £40,000 is a possibility.

The survey found that almost half those working in the film industry want Bectu to lobby the government for sick pay to see them through self isolation, with 46% of TV drama workers and 40% of those in factual TV saying the same. A third (31%) of theatre workers also said they require sick pay to help them through self isolation. 

In response, Bectu is seeking government support for freelancers who have lost work and income through measures such as rent holidays, interest-free loans and a deferment of the end of July tax deadline.

Head of Bectu, Philippa Childs said:

“Bectu can’t emphasise enough how urgently we need the government to act. These people have literally seen their income stream disappear in the space of a few days."

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