Variety is key to success

In the vibrant landscape of the UK's creative industries, a storm has been brewing. The coronavirus pandemic has hit these sectors hard, with self-employed workers making up a higher proportion of the workforce compared to the UK as a whole. This reality, among others, has been highlighted in a report from the House of Commons Treasury Committee, focusing on the economic impact of the virus and the gaps in support for workers, particularly freelancers and those on short-term contracts.

The latest data shows a decline of around 38,000 freelancers in all creative occupations from the start of 2020. The crisis for these creatives is hitting different demographic groups in uneven ways, and it is vitally important that the government provides targeted support to help the sector build back better and in a way that is sustainable in the long term.

Marta Foresti, who has recently taken over as the Chair of the Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC), is leading discussions on reordering the creative economy. The GCEC's focus on long-term sustainability aligns with the need for targeted support for freelancers.

Meanwhile, organisations such as the Freelancers' Union and Creative Industries Federation have been advocating for the needs of freelancers in the creative sectors. These organisations aim to inform political decision-makers and provide better protection during the pandemic. However, no direct search results name these organisations explicitly, reflecting the public knowledge about UK creative freelancer support during COVID-19.

The initial findings from a research project into the impacts of COVID-19 on the cultural sector paint a grim picture. The loss of 55,000 jobs in music, performing and visual arts, a collapse in working hours, and higher than average numbers of people leaving creative occupations are just a few of the challenges faced by the industry.

The creative industries, which are worth over £100bn a year to the UK economy and employ over 2 million people, have been under the spotlight. The Creative Industries Sector Plan has made several key sector-wide announcements, and the 2025 Spending Review has implications for the creative industries as well.

Researchers like Professor Nick Wilson and Dr Josh Sieper are delving deeper into the Equity Gap in Britain's Creative Industries and the co-location of the Creative Industries with other industrial strategy priority sectors, respectively. Their work, along with ongoing research into the short-, medium- and long-term impacts of the pandemic on creative freelancers, will provide valuable insights to guide policy-making.

In the midst of these challenges, there are voices advocating for the overlooked. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gaps in Support, with over 260 parliamentarians, has been actively asking the government to help those in need. Excluded UK, an organisation advocating for taxpayers unable to fully access government support, was created to address this issue.

As the UK navigates its way through the pandemic, the creative industries stand at a crossroads. With the right support and policy decisions, they can not only recover but thrive, ensuring a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape for future generations.