When it comes to creative types in the freelancing or umbrella company contracting fields, the Government has finally given these people their due praise.
Now before you get your knickers in a twist, let’s clear something up here. I’m talking about freelancers, contractors, and other self-employed Brits that work in creative industry sectors. I didn’t say anything about creative contractors, as just about every contractor and freelancer I’ve ever met has been at least moderately creative in their approaches to work and life; otherwise, who would go into business for themselves if they weren’t at least a bit creative?
Now, as I’ve cleared that up, down to the nitty-gritty: the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has come out with some brand new figures that paint the creative sector in a very positive light. Apparently these industries are now worth a massive nearly £77 billion to the greater economic efforts of the country – and when you’ve got figures that big you have to sit up and take notice. Not only that, but none of this would have been possible without the massive contributions self-employed Brits make to that industry, which means that this new milestone is just as much about interim contract workers as it is about the sectors they work in.
Look, it’s no secret that the creative sector is growing at a burgeoning rate that simply can’t be ignored. In fact, figures dating back to as late as 2013 have revealed that around 5.6 per cent of the entire country’s workforce are involved in creative roles. That’s 1.7 million people – and I’m willing to wager that a large proportion of those individuals are working for themselves instead of for an employer. What’s even more interesting is that creative roles increased at a rate of around 1.4 per cent from 2012 to 2013, indicating that it’s a growing sector and that it’s just a jolly good way to earn a living.
I mean, let’s face it: would you want to be stuck in some dingy, stuffy old office somewhere doing figures for some soulless firm all day? Why do that when you can be stuck in some dingy, stuffy old office somewhere doing figures for a fun firm involved in making people’s lives slightly more bearable in this miserable existence we call our own?
