Bectu welcomed the UK government’s plan to tackle late payments. UK Creative Industries Union It’s “absolutely important” to protect the income of freelancers.
The legislative change forms part of the government’s small and medium-sized business plan that was published yesterday. The change means that the UK has what its government is charging as “the strictest recent payment laws in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US).
Government SMEs will be given new authority to perform spot checks and implement a 30-day invoice verification period, speeding up resolutions on conflicts. In addition, future laws will introduce maximum payment terms of 60 days. This could decrease after 45 days, five years, and five years, and ensure that businesses are paid on time.
The Audit Committee certifies that, based on the proposal, it is legally required to scrutinise payment practices at the board level, putting great pressure on large companies and being supported by mandatory interest fees for those who pay late.
Bectu is casting the support behind the government’s plans due to the impact of late payments on freelancers within the creative sector. Freelancers make up about half of the UK film and television workforce, according to a screen industry voice report supported by BFI and BECTU at Leading University.
“Creative freelancers who work in already unstable industries are particularly vulnerable and affected by delayed payments. Many feel that they cannot complain for fear of missing out on future jobs.”
“A recent BECTU survey found that 47% of freelancers in all creative industries waited more than 30 days of payments frequently or sometimes more than 30 days, with over a third waiting more than six weeks.
“This is an absolute key issue for freelancers who are already facing difficulties due to the unstable nature of their jobs and financial insecurity. I urge them to work closely with small freelance champions to do everything they can to ensure that new measures match the critical needs of freelancers to be paid on time.”
The UK government says it costs the UK economy £11 billion a year, closing 38 businesses every day, according to the UK government.
(TagStoTRASSLATE) UK/Ireland
