UK misses out on massive economic opportunity by limiting Freelance “Champion” to just creative sector

Politicians are debating plans for a new Freelance Champion role. The position would champion fair pay and tackle late payment issues affecting UK freelancers. However, the majority of freelancers in the UK are unlikely to benefit directly, given that the role may be dedicated only to the creative sectors.

Fred Hicks, Policy Advisor of IPSE, says the government appointing a ‘freelance champion’ is “a welcome move, but let’s make sure they get it right.”

According to a LinkedIn post Hicks published, “The proposed freelance champion (can we just call it the freelance commissioner?) is only tipped to work within the creative sector.”

According to the government, DCMS will appoint a creative freelance champion, to advocate for the sector’s creative freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council.

The Indusrial Strategy report stated, “Terms of reference will be developed with industry and a freelance champion appointed in 2025. The government will continue to support the industry’s work to deliver the Good Work Review action plan, which aims to strengthen job quality across the sector,33 support the self-employed and focus on developing high-quality jobs.”

Hicks and other freelance economy commentators feel the use of the title “champion” rather than commissioner, foreshadows the lack of clout the role could have when it comes to policymaking.

“Trade bodies have been calling on government to appoint a freelance commissioner for years, so they’re rightly celebrating the news, as is IPSE (although it’s interesting that gov isn’t using the word ‘commissioner’ – at least not yet),” wrote Hicks in his post.

Champion v. Commissioner

Matthew Knight, Freelance Strategist and co-founder of Freelancing Support, responded to Hicks’ post and the role’s somewhat questionable title.

“I think it’s interesting that they called it ‘champion’ rather than commissioner, which already makes it feel a little less pointed, imo,” commented Knight.

He continued, “But I think it’s a fantastic first step, and having [the] mandate to influence and nudge will be incredibly valuable and appreciated. It’ll be an immense task to represent the diversity of types of freelancing and freelancers (and those who fall outside of those classic definitions too, but still work in a very similar way), but it’s an absolutely welcomed move.”

Where do freelancers fit within UK’s Industrial Plan?

Rebecca Seeley Harris, an IR35 and Off-Payroll expert, also offered her thoughts in a separate LinkedIn post she published: “Buried deep in the Government’s new Creative Industries Sector Plan is the plan for a consultation on a simpler framework for employment status. Also, for enhanced rights for the self-employed and the creation of a ‘Freelance Champion’.”

Seeley Harris continued, “Through the Plan to Make Work Pay, the government will strengthen rights and protections to deliver good quality self‑employment. This will include measures to tackle late payments, the right to a written contract, extension of health and safety and blacklisting protections, and consultation on a simpler framework for employment status.”

However, Seeley Harris, added, “I’m guessing that this won’t just apply to the creative industries, although it is not mentioned in the paper on Industrial Strategies. I think this is one for the Employment Status Consultative Committee.”

“Also,” she continued, “Parliament recently debated the role of a Freelance Commissioner, according to The Freelance Informer, and it seems odd that it’s not one and the same if it is extended beyond the creative industries.”

A Freelance Commissioner for All

Arguably, if more industries were under a “champion” or “commissioner’s” responsibility, pressure to scrap IR35 would mount.  

A Freelance Commissioner working across Whitehall for all sectors where freelancers are engaged could potentially weaken the government’s argument that the Off-payroll rules have been a success for the Treasury’s purse. Instead, more voices from industry and the self-employed could give evidence on how the rules have weakened the entrepreneurial spirit of Great Britain.

However, if freelancers in the creative industry flourish as a result of the Freelance Champion’s efforts, other industries should start taking notes and push for more representation with policymakers.