New cross-party parliamentary group launched to champion and support freelancers

The APPG secretariats

The APPG secretariat is provided by Bectu, ALCS, DACS, Directors UK, and Freelancers Make Theatre Work. The group committed to ensuring that wider sector organisations and stakeholders are kept informed about and invited to contribute to the upcoming work of the APPG.

Kate Rosser-Frost, Head of Communications & Engagement at DACS said: "DACS represents over 100,000 visual artists, photographers and creators. We know that the majority of those in the visual arts are freelancers, with around 70% of the workforce operating in freelance roles. Their experiences consistently highlight the precarity and structural challenges freelancers face across the creative industries. As joint secretariat for the APPG for Freelancers, we will work with colleagues from across the visual arts and creative industries to advocate for fair treatment, improved support, and greater recognition for freelance artists and creators. This important cross‑party forum will help build a stronger, more sustainable future for freelancers across the UK’s creative sector.

CEO of Directors UK, Andy Harrower said: “Freelancers play a massive part in the success of our creative industries, but too often their needs are overlooked or misunderstood when governments are developing policy and legislation. Pensions, sick pay, mortgages, and financial support during times of crisis; none of these work for freelancers, leaving them extremely vulnerable. This new cross party parliamentary group is a step towards ensuring that the needs of freelancers are considered as future policy and law are developed. Directors UK is pleased to be supporting the work of the group, alongside colleagues from Bectu, DACS, ALCS and Freelancers Make Theatre Work.”

Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu said: “Freelancers are the backbone of the UK’s creative economy, yet their needs are too often invisible in policymaking. We are proud to have helped drive the creation of the APPG for Freelancers, which marks a significant step forward in ensuring freelancers finally have a dedicated voice in Parliament. The APPG, combined with the new Freelance Champion role, creates a vital opportunity to build fairer, more inclusive policy that recognises freelance realities.”

ALCS said: "ALCS has over 130,000 members, representing all kinds of writers. Our members have told us about the challenges that they face as freelancers, such as accessing support, skills and training, and dealing with institutions that do not understand the nature of their work. We look forward to working with our colleagues across the creative industries to improve the situation of freelance writers. The group will do important work to improve engagement with creative freelancers."

Freelancers Make Theatre Work said: "Freelancers Make Theatre Work is proud to be part of the launch of the APPG for Freelancers. FMTW was born out of crisis, when performing arts freelancers were left exposed by the pandemic and the gaps in support available to us. For the past five years, our volunteer-led organisation has worked to support 200,000+ freelancers while calling for the structural change needed across the sector. Being part of the Secretariat of this new APPG is an important step, and we look forward to contributing our insight and experience to help build better understanding, stronger protections and more meaningful support for freelancers."