Stop the freelance rip-off
Fed up with chasing payments? Tell the government what you think. [#202]
"Ahoy!" A French guy saluted me as I jogged past him on the prom this morning. I was so taken with how he'd rolled his red bandana (elevates the whole outfit), I dropped my phone and smashed the screen. 🤦🏻♀️ I'm not paying to get it fixed again, so time to trade it in for an upgrade. Where do you sell your tech?
Speaking of change, the NUJ launched a crucial campaign this week: Stop the Freelance Rip Off, and I'd love your help getting the word out.
The UK government is consulting on business reforms to try to improve conditions for the self-employed. They want to legislate to “end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day.” (just reading their Small Business Plan, this is part of it).
Excellent news – and a rare opportunity to share your experiences to help improve our conditions. They want to reduce the statutory period for business debt from 60 to 45 days and start charging late payers interest etc.
Keir Starmer said: "From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers – too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses.
It's unfair, it's exhausting, and it's holding Britain back. So, our message is clear: It's time to pay up."
If you're fed up with chasing payments (how about no payment, lol), rubbish kill fees, or being forced to use an umbrella company to get the gig, here are three things you can do to make a difference:
Respond to the consultation by 23 Oct 2025 (see the NUJ campaign page for sample answers to help).
Write to your MP (amend the model letter).
Share with a friend. #StopTheFreelanceRipOff
The more of us who respond, the better the chance of change!
Tim Dawson, the NUJ’s Freelance Organiser, wrote this piece for Press Gazette on the realities of freelancing – bonkers, huh?
Member or not, sign up for more campaign info by emailing freelance@nuj.org.uk.
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