Welsh freelancers seeing their work dry up completely
SIXTY per cent of creative freelancers have seen their work dry up completely during the coronavirus crisis.
Creative Cardiff, in conjunction with Cardiff University’s Creative Economy Unit, conducted an online survey, to look into the impact on the industry.
The group has calculated that there are around 40,000 freelancers working in the Welsh creative industries.
When asked about eligibility for support, 18% reported that they are not covered by the scheme as they are registered as a Limited Company while 35% are not exempt from trading because of Covid-19 and many others faced eligibility problems because they had recently embarked on a freelance career.
One respondent to the survey said: “I only started freelancing recently so although I’ve been doing this for a year, I fall outside the criteria but have no way of making the income I would have.
“The scheme doesn’t seem to apply to me at all.”
More than a third strongly disagreed that the compensation proposed in the scheme is enough to cover their loses through Covid-19, with one response being: “As a freelancer, I spend most of my small profit on buying equipment to enable me to work.
“As such my ‘profit’ is small. It would be fairer to base this on turnover.”
Around two thirds of those who responded to the survey agreed that a delay in payment from this scheme would cause them significant financial difficulty. Professor Justin Lewis, one of the authors of the study alongside Dr Marlen Komorowski, said: “A breakdown in the freelance workforce will have multiplier effects across creative sectors.
“The are embedded in supply chains – notably in film and TV production – which may collapse if the freelance population is reduced.
“In this context, the Government’s Covid-19 Self-Employment Income Support Scheme is welcome support for a sector that relies heavily on freelancers.
“However, many creative freelancers do not qualify for the scheme and for those who are eligibile, the scheme falls far short of the compensation the Government is providing for furloughed employees.”
Prof Lewis said the survey points to ways in which the identified inequities might be addressed – both by the UK and Welsh Governments:
■ find ways to factor in the mix of past PAYE work and freelance income in assessing average income, as well as the time it takes to build up a freelance business;
■ use metrics that include the income dividends of freelancers creatives who are limited companies;
■ use metrics that include those who have embarked more recently on a freelance career. and
■ consider initial upfront payments to help cover time caused by the delay in assessment.
The 237 respondents of the survey represent the creative industries and cover all of Wales, although Creative Cardiff say that 90% came from South Wales, where the bulk of creative industries in Wales are located.