Tory MP Criticises BBC Over Freelance Pay Scheme

A Tory MP has claimed that the BBC has ordered its freelancers to set up their own service companies so the corporation can avoid paying national insurance contributions.

Daniel Kawczynski claims the BBC ordered freelance staff earning more than £10,000 a year to invoice through a third-party company for fear HM Revenue and Customs could rule many of them were working long enough hours for the corporation that they should be treated as full-time employees, a move he described as “highly deplorable”.

Speaking in a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday, Kawczynski said: "What these employees are being told, some of whom have worked for the organisation for many years, is that if they do not set up their own companies and invoice the BBC through these companies, their contracts will be terminated.

"I find that behaviour staggering and highly deplorable."

Margaret Hodge, chairman of the public accounts committee, will investigate the change in policy, which came to light after a university friend of Kawczynski wrote to the MP complaining about the practice.

Kawczynski went on to say that parts of the BBC should now be privatised, as he urged ministers to "think the unthinkable".

(H)