Bectu provides the answers to freelancers seeking government support 

These answers have been put together based on government guidance by broadcasting union Bectu. This is a very fast-moving situation and this is Bectu’s current understanding of the scheme, however this may change and we will update to reflect developments. 

What help is there for those that are PAYE that move from contract to contract?

If a worker was employed on a PAYE scheme somewhere before 28 February, their erstwhile employer can effectively re-hire them, and put them on furlough, with an 80% subvention from the government. This is, however, entirely dependent on the will of the employer to do it and Bectu will be applying pressure wherever possible.

What support is available to workers who provide their services through their own Limited Company?

Unfortunately, these people are specifically excluded from the scheme to aid self-employed workers, if they “pay themselves a salary and dividends through their own company”.

If they were operating a PAYE system on or before 28 February this year, and were themselves on the payroll on that date, they may be able to put themselves “on furlough” and apply to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for a grant equivalent to 80% of their average earnings.

In most other circumstances there is little government assistance at this time. Bectu is still lobbying the Treasury and politicians for a support package for workers in this situation.

Meanwhile, you may be eligible for Universal Credit, which is not generous, and involves a means-test, but is still worth applying for.

Your business may be eligible to apply to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, run by the British Business Bank, which most  self-employed working in Bectu sectors should qualify for on the primary criteria. However, you will then face credit checks by the commercial lenders participating, who have been delegated to make all decisions about loans. There will also be a need to pass a business viability test, and you may not want to resort to credit that is extended only as an unsecured personal loan, despite the 12-month interest-free period.

Can we claim Universal Credit until being able to claim the grant(s)?

Yes

I am a freelancer, but I have a Limited Company, of which I am director. Strictly speaking, that means I am employed. The wage I take is low though, because I also take dividends. I’m still very confused about how much I could claim and how I could claim it.

You can only claim support as an employee if you have been paying yourself through a PAYE scheme, and in particular, need to have been on payroll on 28 February to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Workers in your situation are specifically excluded from the support scheme for the self-employed, but you may be able to apply to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme. Additionally, you may qualify for Universal Credit.

I am not clear if people who are “freelancers who are routinely employed on PAYE fixed term contracts” will be able to qualify for the 80% relief if they weren’t in employment in Feb/Mar? They probably don’t do tax returns at the end of January (though they will be getting rebates in April) – will there be a way for them to apply for the relief?

To qualify for the 80% payment from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, a worker needs to have been “on payroll” on February 28. Depending on the precise payroll arrangements operated by an employer they may have worked for, they might qualify on the basis of being employed in the period before this date, but will have to discuss this with companies they may have worked for, who are under no obligation to take advantage of the “furlough” provision.

Am I right in understanding that freelancers who earn over £50,000 will not be able to apply for anything?

The £50,000 ceiling applies only to the Self-employed Income Support Scheme. Workers with income over this level are still free to operate the 80% “furlough” system if they are in a Limited Company with a PAYE scheme, and, along with self-employed workers, can apply to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. They should also apply for Universal Credit.

Is it possible that the Chancellor is giving a coded “you can repackage your earnings as ‘income’ instead of ‘dividends’ in his offer to extend the January filing deadline? 

It’s very hard to ‘resubmit’ previous tax assessments, so that seems unlikely.

Has Bectu actually heard of any production companies that have successfully managed to be provided a grant for their short-term PAYE employees? If they’ve heard of anyone who was successful, what was the criteria in which they were able to get the grant? If they’ve heard of anyone who was rejected, why was that and are we in trouble?

Yes, we have heard reports that this happened, and are advising members to approach any employers they may have worked for in the run up to the 28 February qualifying date.

What are your actual options if (like me) you were on a short-term PAYE contract, it was terminated mid-contract, and your basically a sitting duck until you hear from your employers as to whether they got the grant or not?

You will have to keep pressing the previous employer for the best outcome. Don’t wait for them to get in touch.

What if your employer doesn’t get the grant, even though you were mid contract? Where do you go from there?

They should do – we’d like to hear of examples of them not getting it. Send these examples to communications@bectu.org.uk If you can’t access the grant you need to apply for Universal Credit. 

What if you were looking for a job? We are never normally out of contract for more than a month of a time, but now, there are some of us that are facing months of unemployment with no what-if-PAYE-scenario to cling to.

We are hoping that previous employers will re-engage, if the system allows this, but seeking a job is not treated the same as actually being in employment.

What if you were about to start a PAYE contract and it was terminated before it even started?

This depends on the provisions in your contract for termination by the employer. Under contract law there may be scope that there has been a repudiatory breach by the employer, but this would be undermined by the existence of a carefully-worded force majeure clause, or if the employer successfully argued that the contract had been “frustrated”.