Finally, someone in Westminster who actually gets us? The new plan to legitimise UK freelancing
For over a decade, the freelance community has been shouting into a political void. But as we move through 2026, the volume is finally being turned up.
Katherine Steiner-Dicks chats with Matt Dowling, the former freelance photographer and studio producer who turned his own “bad contract” nightmare into a mission to protect the next generation of freelancers with the help of those already in the trenches.
As the founder of Freelancer Club, Matt hasn’t just built an education and recruitment portal; he has constructed a three-pillar powerhouse of Education, Policy, and Industry support. With a newly formed think tank and a Freelance Education Framework active in 35 universities, the goal is to replace the “get rich quick” myths of social media with a hard-hitting national standard.
However, this news isn’t just for those just starting out. With Joint and Several Liability legislation finally providing a safety net for umbrella workers, a UK Late Payment Reform 2026 coming into play, a New Fair Work Agency cracking down on rogue payroll and unpaid wages, and a dedicated Freelance Champion soon to be announced in Westminster, 2026 is a year of unprecedented possibilities.
The Freelance Informer caught up with Matt to find out how the think tank and education framework will change the daily lives of independent workers and why freelancer pros should consider joining the roster of experts leading the charge.
The UK freelance sector has long operated as the “Wild West” of the economy; vital to the GDP yet often left to fend for itself. However, Matt Dowling, founder of Freelancer Club, is spearheading a movement to change that through three strategic pillars: Education, Policy, and Industry.
The framework has been co-developed through the Freelance Education Think Tank, a collaboration of 11 institutions recognised for their leadership in freelance education, alongside sector partners including CHEAD, Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK), and the National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI).
The framework is responding to how students earn while studying and continue to freelance after graduation. According to Dowling, increasing numbers of students are building side hustles, pursuing freelance careers, and seeking flexible ways of working, yet institutional support has historically been fragmented, inconsistent, or absent altogether.
“Less than a decade ago, freelancing sat on the fringes of education,” says Dowling. “It was widely misunderstood, unsupported, and often dismissed as a fallback option. Today, it’s how the majority of students are earning, learning, and building their careers from day one.”
The Freelance Education Framework is the sector catching up with that reality. It’s providing the structure, recognition, and consistency that’s been missing, and turning what was once fragmented into a credible, supported pathway at scale.”
With the soft launch of the Freelance Education Framework on 29 April and a major live event at the University of Birmingham on 30 June, the multi-faceted goal is to create a national standard mindset and support system for those who want professional and sustainable careers as solo self-employed business owners.
Strengthening the UK freelance economy through education
The core of this movement is the RISE freelancer campaign. Born from a think tank of 11 diverse UK institutions, the new framework addresses a massive “knowledge gap” in higher education. While the number of students starting side businesses is through the roof, the actual professional guidance they receive hasn’t kept up.
The think tank comprised 11 institutions that displayed excellence in freelance support… to try and build a national standard for formalised freelance support.
— Matt Dowling, CEO, Freelancer Club and Chair of the Freelance Education Think Tank
The framework isn’t just for business majors; it reaches across creatives and consultants, tackling the inspiring life lessons, industry insights and boring but essential red tape that often stalls a career before it even begins. Dowling is adamant that this education needs to be practical, not just academic theory.
Dowling is also honest about what shouldn’t be rushed in university webinars, coaching and industry-specific group sessions:
If we go in and discuss VAT with these students, it is a completely pointless exercise. They’re just not at that stage… anything that is probably two or three years down the future is just going to go over their head.
A voice in Westminster: The impending Freelance Champion
Perhaps the biggest news for the established freelancer community is the upcoming appointment of a Freelance Champion within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Despite some frustrating delays, Dowling—who chairs the DCMS working group—is confident the announcement is just around the corner.
The Freelance Informer is keen to see the freelance sector have a representative with real “teeth”—someone to handle the messy bits of IR35 and tax legislation with freelancers in mind. Helping people who want to stay truly freelance without being forced into restrictive umbrella company traps.
The editorial team is keen to have someone with voting power; someone who gives a message to policy makers in government that this way of working isn’t of secondary importance to the economy. It’s a growth mechanism for it and a solution for so many to the higher cost of living.
Dowling and his collaborators are already pushing policies that address:
- Late payments: Working with the Small Business Commissioner to ensure “unpaid work” isn’t just an accepted part of the job.
- Ethical hiring: Untangling the difference between a legitimate “test shoot” (where everyone shares the portfolio results) and exploitation carried out by companies.
Why seasoned UK freelancers should care
If you’ve been in the game for a decade or more, it’s easy to think these “entry-level” frameworks aren’t for you. But as Dowling sees it, better standards across the board benefit everyone. When the industry is taken seriously, protections improve and the market stops being flooded with “get rich quick” myths from social media.
There is too much naivety, particularly with the type of content we’re seeing on TikTok and Instagram promoting running a side hustle… as something you can do in your sleep. We definitely need to educate on the reality when you pull back the curtain about the realities of freelancing.
-Matt Dowling
He also says university webinars and sessions must be relevant to the cohort on that particular day.
The objectives of the think tank must also ensure the powers given to the new Freelance Champion are relevant to the specific challenges freelancers face at every stage of their career, regardless of the industry they work in.
For example, a cohort of 18-year-old illustrators needs the Champion to focus on late payments and contract theft. Whereby a cohort of veteran tech contractors needs that same Champion to focus on IR35 and tax reform.
How to get involved:
Share your expertise: If you’re an experienced veteran with a niche skill, you might be able to join the roster of expert speakers used by over 35 universities.
Access resources: While the university bits are for students, the Freelancer Club platform has on-demand courses for any stage; even a quick refresher on contract pitfalls can save a seasoned pro from a world of hurt.
Policy watching: Keep an eye on the RISE freelancer campaign to help define what the new government champion should actually be focusing on once they’re in office.
The road ahead: AI and staying sharp
As we head through 2026, the conversation is dominated by AI. Dowling points out that while the “hard skills” are being taught, the “soft skills” such as problem-solving, the ability to pivot, and looking after your mental health, are the real secrets to staying relevant.
He says experienced freelancers must embrace adaptability in 2026 and remain open-minded to change:
The capacity to problem-solve, pivot, shift, move with the market and understand this kind of new world… is both incredibly exciting for those who are willing to adapt, and anxiety-inducing for those who may feel paralysed.
Useful connections:
To access Freelancer Club courses and resources, they offer the Academy, which includes their flagship accelerator programme ‘Freelance Business School’. There, learners can access courses on business essentials, branding, marketing, sales, negotiations, pricing, etc., along with AI Coaches (ideal for roleplay and introverts), interactive quizzes, and peer learning. To join the Freelancer Club and enrol on the platform, you can go here: https://freelancerclub.net
