Below you can find a summary of what the main political parties have said about AI, copyright, support for freelancers, and other changes that might benefit working writers.

Conservatives

Ahead of the election, the Conservatives have vowed to change tax rates for freelancers and aim for innovation in AI. Their relevant policies are:

• Support freelancers by abolishing the main rate of self-employed National Insurance
• Ensure creators are properly protected and remunerated for their work, while also making the most of the opportunities that AI brings
• Deliver a flexible coordination service so that people working in film, TV, gaming or music can work on live productions while receiving 12 months of secure training
• Commit to keeping tax reliefs at competitive rates

Green Party

The Green Party have shown a commitment to valuing intellectual property (IP) and freelancer rights. Their relevant policies are:

• Uphold protection of IP for creators who stand to lose value in their work due to AI
• Commit to equal employment rights for all workers from their first day of employment including those working in the ‘gig economy’ and on zero-hours contracts. Gig employers that repeatedly break employment, data protection or tax law will be denied licences to operate
• Implement the second part of the Levenson inquiry

Labour

Labour have pledged to look at regulation in AI and late payments that affect freelancers. Their relevant policies include:

• Appropriate regulations on the developers of AI models
• Address the role of culture in education, and opportunities in the creative industry for young people across the UK
• Pledge to act on late payments to ensure the self-employed are paid on time
• Continued commissioning of British content

Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats have committed to reforming copyright and licensing rules, reassessing AI and strengthening international outreach of the creative industries. Their manifesto includes:

• Support modern and flexible patent, copyright and licensing rules
• Promote innovation while creating certainty for AI users, developers and investors
• Promote creative skills and address barriers to finance faced by small businesses
• Boost funding for cultural and creative projects by applying to participate fully in Creative Europe
• Negotiate free and simple short-term travel arrangements for UK artists to perform in the EU, and European artists to perform in the UK

Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru have committed to helping freelancers. Their relevant policy is:

• Propose a Welsh Freelancers Fund to support the creative sector

Reform UK

Reform UK’s manifesto has no obvious policies focussed on copyright, AI or specific pledges on improving working conditions for freelancers.

Scottish National Party (SNP)

The SNP have committed to prioritising research into using AI ethically and transparently, while investing in schemes to support the creative industries. Their manifesto offers:

• Research and investment in AI to capitalise on the technological revolution and ensure its full potential is maximised in supporting public services in a way that is open, ethical and transparent
• Participate in the Creative Europe scheme, supporting culture sector cooperation and boosting economic potential of our creative industries

Read our manifesto for writers and creators here