TV industry challenged to support new talent: “As they enlighten you, with TV stories you can’t film or write without them, enlighten them. Shine a torch on the figures and the budgets they can’t see.” Read
@MichaelaCoel
's speech in full here
#EdTVFest
We're calling on industry leaders to end the negative long hours culture that permeates the film and TV industries. Sign our petition here to get your voice heard:
#eyeshalfshut
For those who are PAYE and moving from contract to contract don't despair there will be updates on this very soon. As soon as we have the information we will share it.
Head of Bectu
@philippachilds
statement:
"We are deeply concerned that our member Richard Felgate was arrested whilst recording a peaceful protest, despite clearly displaying a Bectu press card. Richard was documenting protests by Just Stop Oil, and was arrested on Saturday."🧵
Yesterday I got arrested whilst filming a
@JustStop_Oil
supporter holding a banner on the pavement near the coronation route. I'm a filmmaker and had my
@BECTU
press accreditation visible around my neck.
Police deemed this to be "conspiracy to commit a public nuisance".
Our research with
@bbcfileon4
has revealed the shocking extent of bullying and sexual harassment in the film and TV industry.
Workers fear if they speak out, they won’t work again.
Read more below and listen to
@BBCfileon4
tonight at 8pm ⬇️
A huge win for
@Channel4
, public service broadcasting & our creative industries.
We strongly opposed plans to sell
#Channel4
and are thrilled it will stay in public hands.
We are hugely disappointed that
@rishisunak
has yet again ignored the needs of the creative industries by failing to fill the gaps in the SEISS and CJRS schemes and not recognising that the changes to the CJRS will result in premature job losses:
**Breaking news** - Two BECTU reps unfairly sacked by the Ritzy must be reinstated to their former positions, an employment tribunal has ruled today. Read more here:
Here they are celebrating!
#LivingStaffLivingWage
Too many people have been excluded from government support during the pandemic, which is why Bectu has signed the open letter written by
@ISM_music
&
@EquityUK
, calling for an extension of financial support for freelancers until Spring 2021:
The cost of Channel 4 to the UK tax payer = 💷 £0.00
Its contribution to the UK = A thriving independent production sector, thousands of jobs and world-renowned, innovative content.
The chancellor has just announced delay in tax payments which what we've been calling for all along, but still nothing to replace freelancers' income. We know this is not good enough - we will keep pushing for you during these desperate times
THREAD: 1. We know that everyone is still reeling from last night’s news that freelancers and the self-employed won’t be getting 80% of their salary like an employee
As the UK contemplates it’s transition out of lockdown many are left in limbo as they are still not covered by government support schemes.
#NoCreativeLeftBehind
Good idea from
@tracybrabin
calling for a temporary universal basic income guarantee. We need all freelancers, including those who are on zero-hours contracts + casuals, to have an income during these unprecedented times.
Remember to complete our survey:
We wrote to the BBC Director General weeks ago outlining our concerns on the impartiality guidelines and Richard Sharp.
It’s now imperative that we have a clear and urgent answer: will the Chairman be asked to step back while investigations on his impartiality remain live?
We are proud to stand together in solidarity with our sister union
@IATSE
in the fight against long hours culture in film & TV as we applaud their extraordinary ballot result
#IASolidarity
.
Read more->
Channel 4 is a major success story, a financially successful broadcaster that supports thousands of jobs as well as a thriving independent production sector across the UK.
Write to your MP to oppose the proposed sale here:
With the extraordinary
@IATSE
ballot result this week, a new
@unimei
@uniglobalunion
survey of 150,000 film & TV workers highlights the global problem of long hours culture in the industry.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
With commissioning budgets being slashed, it's worth reflecting on how important dramas and storytelling are in sparking public and political conversations.
The many talented crew behind TV dramas play a critical role in bringing these stories to life.
Thanks to workers in
🎞Film & TV
🎭Theatre
🎟Cinemas
🎤Live events
🎨Arts
& all others in media & entertainment who help to keep our minds stimulated and our hearts enriched. We look forward to a time when your full creative potential can be realised again.
#MayDay
You can explain better than us why the government urgently needs to cover the income of freelancers. Thanks to
@mattydougal
for sending this over.
We know many of you can relate to this. We will keep lobbying on your behalf.
This is nothing short of cultural vandalism. Channel 4 supports 1000s of jobs & a thriving independent production sector, all at no cost to the taxpayer. This short sighted, destructive move deals a major blow to the UK’s creative sector.
@philippachilds
Finally the government has responded to the many calls for urgent financial support for the arts.
We will be pushing for the detail and speedy roll out in the coming days. Read our full statement from
@philippachilds
here:
Thousands of jobs are at risk in the live events sector and the number will continue to rise unless urgent support is given. This is why, tonight, we’re projecting this message on venues across London. See if you can catch us at our next location 👀✊
"Hundreds of thousands of people have been left out of any scheme. My concern is the impact on their mental health, rising debt & the sense that the government isn’t listening," said
@TracyBrabin
in a
#Bectu
webinar last week:
Massive announcement from
@RishiSunak
for freelancers and the self-employed. We have pushed so hard for you to have parity with employees and the scale of this commitment is what we needed. Still lots to work out. Official response coming soon
We have co-signed a
@ExcludedUK
letter, urging the Chancellor to extend the government support schemes and close the gaps in support.
We cannot risk the repeat of tragic redundancies in the creative industries due to a lack of notice.
Read more➡️
As strikes resume tomorrow we're sending solidarity to
@RMTunion
for a successful negotiated outcome.
Today and every day we stand with all working people to defend jobs, pay and conditions.
Amidst a worsening cost of living crisis, now is the time to
#JoinAUnion
.
Solidarity with crew in the USA who are fighting for better working conditions in the film industry.
Crew on both sides of the Atlantic work extremely long hours, and the problem is only getting worse.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with
@IATSE
in the fight against long hours.
Bectu favourite Olivia Colman rocking our
#WorkToLive
shirt.
Bectu's consultative ballot on Pact's latest offer to update the 2017 TV Drama Agreement closes on Sunday 31 July at 11:59pm.
Check your inbox and get in contact with TVdrama
@bectu
.org.uk if you have not received it.
Today Head of Bectu
@philippachilds
gave evidence to
@CommonsCMS
about the crisis in British film & high end TV.
In this clip: Philippa discusses why people are leaving the film & TV industry. Read our report to explore this issue more:
We have written to the president of our sister union
@IATSE
to express our solidarity with their members seeking to end long hours culture in Film & TV. Crew on both sides of the Atlantic deserve better conditions. Click here to read more:
📣JRS guidance has been updated📣
PAYE freelancers can be re-employed and furloughed if a contract naturally finished and there was a RTI submission on or before 28 February/19 March. 👇🏾
We won't stop lobbying for you during the Covid-19 crisis
.
@RishiSunak
must urgently revise income support plan to include freelancers and self-employed says
@philippachilds
Read Bectu's official response to the latest government measures:
Our poll of over 4000 UK film and TV workers found that many workers, especially women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds, plan to leave film and TV work all together in the next five years.
We need commitment from the industry and govt to address this talent drain.
🚨This is a fight that must be won🚨
Head of Bectu
@philippachilds
speaking in solidarity with striking actors and writers in the US at today's
@EquityUK
@sagaftra
rally in Leicester Square 📢
Bectu welcomes the news that the Treasury is considering support for Ltd company directors but the Government must go further and include all of the various groups currently excluded.
Lots of speculation this morning about what a package for the self-employed and freelancers will contain.
@mikeclancy1
general secretary of our parent union Prospect will be talking to the chancellor’s adviser this morning and emphasising what is needed for you.
IATSE has been standing with unions around the world in their fight for workers’ rights, dignity at work and trade union recognition. Now, we stand together with IATSE ✊✊✊.
Once again the Chancellor has shown himself blind to the fate of the self-employed and freelance workforce who are the backbone of the creative sector. Read Bectu's full response to the furlough-type scheme announced by Chancellor
@RishiSunak
today:
Freedom of expression is critical to a thriving cultural sector. Art is often inherently political - it provokes, stimulates debate and challenges the establishment.
Creatives should not face funding threats or censure via a broadbrush approach to content deemed 'political'.
Tonight's announcement demonstrates the huge amount of work that still needs to be done for the country to return to work safely. That's why the government must step in and ensure
#NoCreativeLeftBehind
Nearly a year into the pandemic thousands of creative freelancers are still left without support.
The Chancellor has today claimed in a podcast interview that he regrets those who “feel” they have been excluded.
Read our response->
NEW🚨| We have written to DCMS Secretary of State
@lucyfrazermp
on behalf of thousands of film and TV workers who are struggling amid a work drought and industry slowdown.
We are asking
@DCMS
to convene an urgent industry summit and work with us to tackle the crisis.
In our latest joint letter to the Chancellor, we highlighted the misery facing
#excluded
freelancers this Christmas and the catastrophic economic impact that will occur if these individuals continue to be left out. Read more:
#MakeChristmasMerryForAll
✊❄️
14 years since The King's Speech was released and 14 years of Tory underinvestment in the creative industries.
Can we hear your thoughts on how this 'boom' is currently impacting the tens of thousands of freelancers, who are the lifeblood of the film & TV industry?
British film is booming - thanks to British creativity & Govt tax reliefs.
From The King's Speech to Aftersun British indy films play a huge role.
I met with representatives from the independent film sector to discuss how we can maximise the potential of this industry.
Our recent report paints a very different picture - a third of film & TV workers say they will leave the industry in the next 5 years.
The govt must match its investment in creative businesses with urgent support for the freelancers that make these industries so successful.
Last week's budget means we will continue to boost the potential of our thriving Creative Industries.
🎬 Tax reliefs for independent British film, TV, visual effects & film studios.
🎭 Support for theatres across the country.
🏛️ Tax relief for museums and galleries.
Bectu members projected this urgent message on the houses of
#parliament
this weekend to show the arts package does not support workers. Redundancies are happening now & last self-employed grants end in August. What happens then
@RishiSunak
@OliverDowden
?
THREAD: We are still listening to you. We know that there are people who fall between the Job Retention Scheme and the Self Employed Income Support Scheme.
This is what we’re calling for the government to put into place to protect you during this crisis. No one should be left behind. We are pushing for immediate action. Watch now 👇
#Covid19UK
#ThursdayThoughts
The BBC's cancellation of Doctors after 23 years is a devastating blow for our members, permanent, fixed term & freelancers - yet another victim of the BBC licence fee funding freeze resulting in difficult cuts.
Incredibly disappointing to see creative jobs lost in Birmingham.
This is what we’re calling for the government to put into place, as a bare minimum, to protect you during this crisis. No one should be left behind. We are pushing for immediate action. Watch now
Freelancers in the media have been left homeless, using food banks and even suicidal after being unable to access government support schemes during lockdown, campaigners have said.
#NoCreativeLeftBehind
🔥UPDATE🔥: We are opening up our creative freelancer survey on how coronavirus is affecting you to non-members. Please share far and wide - it closes on Monday eve.
We've been clear that selling such a profitable network would have major consequences for the UK broadcasting landscape.
Alongside our colleagues at
@NUJofficial
@EquityUK
@TheWritersGuild
@WeAreTheMU
we welcome the decision to scrap these damaging plans.
SCOOP: Letter from Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan to Rishi Sunak confirming her recommendation is that Channel 4 privatisation does NOT go ahead. Says there are “better ways to ensure C4’s sustainability.”
Direct opposite of what the Johnson government said.
We know there are lots of questions about today's announcement that's why
@philippachilds
and our research officer Tony Lennon will be hosting an
#AskBectu
session on Twitter
We're deeply concerned at increasing reports of unscripted freelancers struggling to find work. Many tell us this is the longest period without work that they have ever experienced.
We stand with all unscripted freelancers at this difficult time. More from
@philippachilds
👇
Front of house theatre workers, like
@loucorben
, have been left with no income literally in the space of a few days. They need measures in place to protect their income otherwise we risk emerging talent leaving our creative industries
The government must change tack and provide financial support for millions of desperate self-employed and freelancers who have no safety net during the COVID-19 pandemic. We won't give up on this injustice
@ExcludedUK
@forgotten_2020
@ForgottenPAYE
:
Thank you to everyone who has been in touch sharing their experience. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response and will continue urgently lobbying on your behalf. As Charlotte explains, this is about equality, no-one should be left behind
The front page of tomorrow’s Times is announcing that Cineworld is planning to close all of its cinemas across the country as soon as this week putting all of our jobs at immediate risk. There has been no consultation with staff whatsoever.
They’ve paid their taxes like the rest of us and when all this comes to an end they will still pay the price of the financial support put in place for others, but they’ve had nothing themselves", says
@philippachilds
on
#NationalFreelancersDay
“I have never known a more dire situation in television in twenty years. Every freelancer I know is unemployed."~ Unscripted TV producer
Bectu’s latest film&TV report lays bare the shocking work drought in the industry. Read more testimonies from the survey on our website.
The government has let down
#forgottenfreelancers
yet again. Creative workers need action from the government and they need it now ✊
Read
@philippachilds
full response to
@RishiSunak
's Plan for Jobs statement here:
Now more than ever, freelancers need improved rights and a Government that will stand by them.
The freelance workforce has already faced incredible hardship & are now battling a second crisis. Their cultural and economic contribution is huge; we will continue to fight for them.
Southampton’s Nuffield Theatre is closing for good. 60yrs of investment, training & serving its community. All profitable in normal times, just needed shortfall funding while closed & it didn’t come in time
So sorry to the 86 made redundant, & the locals who loved their theatre
Bectu want to assure those not eligible for government support that we have not forgotten you. We will continue lobbying on your behalf to ensure there is
#NoCreativeLeftBehind
Over 120 organisations including Bectu have signed a letter to the Treasury calling on the Chancellor to extend the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) until Spring next year. Read more here:
🔥Labour shadow culture team on fire today🔥
@JoStevensLabour
wrote to the Chancellor highlighting PAYE freelancers looking for a lifeline while
@tracybrabin
highlighted those who are excluded from the Self-employment Income Support Scheme in parliament.
#NoCreativeLeftBehind
NEW🚨| We welcome the BBC's review of its social media guidance.
Bectu &
@NUJofficial
must be involved in this review and we will be writing to the BBC to demand this.
However, while the Chairman remains in post the damage will continue.
Read our statement ⬇️
NEWS: Tribunals find that
@RitzyLivingWage
reps were unfairly dismissed and that 'background union activities of the claimants played a part in the decision-making' Read more here: (Pic: Agata Wanda)
"A blanket policy of 40 per cent for the self-employed will not work for freelancers in the creative industries and will have a devastating impact on the skilled workforce that are the backbone of this £100bn sector," says
@philippachilds
in
@Independent
: