Press Release
DIRECTORS UK RESPONDS TO 2021 BUDGET
3 March 2021
Directors UK’s initial response to today’s budget from Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak.
Responding to the gaps in freelancer support, Directors UK said:
“Directors UK welcomes the Chancellor extending the Government’s current COVID-19 support schemes and including the newly self-employed. But this does not go far enough to address the remaining gaps in the SEISS. The lack of recognition for the financial concerns of freelancers and the self-employed will be distressing and damaging for those affected, including many in the creative sector. We will continue to seek solutions and support for our members who still fall through the gaps.”
Responding to the extension of the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme, Directors UK said:
“Directors UK welcomes the extension of the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme, having been an advocate of this support from the start of the COVID crisis. We’re pleased that our members and the creative sector can continue to work through the remainder of the pandemic, and its longer-term impact, and provide world-class entertainment for everyone to enjoy.”
Responding to the Apprenticeship Levy, Directors UK said:
“Directors UK is pleased to see the Chancellor answer our call to make the Apprenticeship Levy more flexible to reflect the fluid nature of working patterns in the creative industries. By allowing apprentices to work for a number of different employers in the same sector, the creative industries can now make real use of levy funds that in previous years have gone untapped, and feed that money directly back into training new talent in meaningful ways.”
About Directors UK
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of over 7,500 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events, training and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of over 7,500 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events, training and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
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