|
Shadow Chancellor Michael Howard QC MP and Shadow Financial Secretary Mark Prisk listened to concerns and issues specific to journalists, composers, songwriters, actors and 'behind-the-scenes' film and television workers, as well as those which have been previously highlighted by other freelancer groups.
Susie Hughes from Shout99 was invited to attend the seminar and she explained that Shout99 had previously facilitated a consultation where freelancers could directly input their views on the benefits they can bring, and the opportunities and threats which face them. She presented the discussion paper which had come from the Shout99 consultation and had formed the basis of the earlier freelancer seminar in March on issues relating to the business-orientated freelancers.
This second seminar was primarily aimed at identifying areas relating to the creative freelancer and how the Conservative Party could develop its policy to give a fair deal to freelancers in their tax and benefits affairs.
Shadow Chancellor, Michael Howard QC MP said: "The Conservative Party values the role of freelancers and the flexibility they bring to the economy. We are concerned that under this Government freelancers and the self employed are discriminated against and receive a rough deal on tax, NI and benefits packages, in comparison to the employed.
"Freelancers were first hit by the IR35 legislation, which has caught out many genuine self employed people and freelancers. Several years on the Government has also failed to recognise the discrimination facing freelancers in the tax and benefits regime, while they have been happy to provide changes in the corporate tax structure - changes which the self employed have been specifically excluded from. The Conservatives aim to remedy this".
Shadow Financial Secretary Mark Prisk - himself a former freelancer - has been charged with driving the Conservatives policy development forward in this area, discussing new ideas with key representatives to secure a fair deal for freelancers and the self employed.
Mark Prisk MP said: "The Conservatives are listening to freelancers - including freelance journalists, actors and writers - to find out the problems they face in their tax, benefits and employment status affairs. The Government has marginalised this vital sector of the economy, and as a result they face a raw deal. We aim to end the discrimination and provide an alternative - a fair deal for freelancers."
For further information see Tories focus on freelancers
---
If you wish to comment on this article, please log in and use the Reply button below. Registering is simple and easy to do online - see 'Join Shout99'.
--
The Editor, © Shout99.com 2003
|
