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From the Newsdesk

C19 – ACID Supports Design Week’s & Other’s Stance for More Freelancer Support

To date there has been little support for many of the UK’s fantastic self-employed freelance designers and creators and we are calling on Government to recognise that the thousands who make up this workforce contribute to a significant amount of GDP.

With business opportunities disappearing before their eyes it is a worrying time to know how to survive and their livelihoods need protecting in the same way as established businesses.

Dids Macdonald, OBE, CEO of ACID said, “I urge the Prime Minister and Chancellor to delegate immediate responsibility to those responsible to find ways to cut through the bureaucracy so that cash can be made available in a timely way. When this pandemic is over, and it will pass, freelancers need to be able to rebuild quickly so that they can do what they do best. Create and make valuable contributions to our creative industries”

Molly Long’s excellent article in Design Week offers intel and tips for freelancers on government help, sick pay, a comparison of what other countries are doing to help freelancers and self-employed and various self-help tips and advice.

Read Design Week article here

SIGN UP TO THE PETITION!

If you are self-employed or a freelancer, we have just signed the petition “support for self-employed people during Coronavirus” will you sign up and urge your colleagues? A united voice is a stronger

The Creative Industries Federation of which ACID is a member are being proactive on behalf of the self-employed, support a letter to the Chancellor and copy in your local MP here to raise awareness of the need to act now and address the inequality between freelancers and established businesses.

Business Rates Holiday – show your support for a letter which has gone out from the British Furnishings Confederation to the Chancellor giving valid reasons for a business rates holiday.

What help is available for business, generally?

For three months backdated to March 1, lone, micro SME and, indeed all employees help is at hand with grants up to 80% of the average wage up to £2,500 per employee but this does NOT include freelancers at the moment who are only eligible for £94.25 a week through universal credit.

Most of the government’s up-to-date advice and the source of information contained in this post, can be found here.

VAT payment deferral for three months.

Business interruption scheme – interest free loans for six months, the British Business Bank is a good resource of information.

The ACID team are here to help with a chat, advice or information to help you through this crisis on [email protected] or telephone us on 0845 644 3617

There is also a summary of some very useful support from the Government financial support during the Coronavirus outbreak on this link.

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