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#Forgoten Freelances


experienced its devastating effect on the industry. Sports writers had no football,


W


racing or any other events to cover and as the theatres went dark and everything began to shut down, so did the work diaries of freelances. Te Chancellor, Rishi Sunak,


unveiled a scheme to protect jobs, whereby 80 per cent of workers’ salaries would be paid by the government, to tide companies over. But there was nothing on the table for freelances. Te NUJ and sister unions went into action. On 26 March, the UK Government announced the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Te NUJ welcomed it, calling for further detail, but it soon became


hen the virus struck the industry, it was freelances who first


clear many people were excluded. Te union’s freelance office was inundated with pleas for help from other members who had fallen foul of criteria laid down in the scheme. Tat is why the union launched its


#ForgotenFreelances campaign. It had already collaborated on a leter to the Chancellor with the Federation of Entertainment Unions, but there are also specific problems journalists faced in trying to get access to financial help. News organisations put staff on furloughs, but freelances, although on PAYE, were excluded. Teir employers refused to put them on the scheme. Another leter was sent, and campaign material prepared. Michelle Stanistreet said: “Practical support and help now is vital if freelance journalists are to sustain


themselves and their families and be in a position to work once the economic shockwaves of lockdown subside and the recovery begins.” Te TUC believes that as many as 2m self-employed are losing out. Te NUJ’s leter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, says: “Te UK economy is heavily reliant on freelances. Te huge complexity in addressing financial support is a result of the casualisation of our industry and has resulted in deeply unfair working conditions for self-employed people. Te gaps to the scheme must be addressed and the financial aid must start before the beginning of June, as this will be too late and will cause real hardship for our members.”


What you can do Share the leter to Rishi Sunak


htps://www.nuj.org.uk/documents/ forgotenfreelances-leter-to-the-chancellor/


If you are freelance, this leter can help you get help from your MP


htps://www.nuj.org.uk/documents/ forgotenfreelances-leter-for-freelances/


Support freelance members by sending this leter to your MP:


htps://www.nuj.org.uk/documents/ forgotenfreelances-leter-of-support/


CAMPAIGN


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