Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget has created financial challenges for tech and media freelancers; however, firms can take advantage of revised work schemes, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg.
Mandy Girder, a Partner at the firm, said: “Changes affecting investment income, savings returns, property income, and dividends disproportionately impact self – employed creatives, contractors, and founders who rely on diversified income streams.”
“For an industry already contending with cash – flow volatility, these measures risk tightening margins further. Expect a renewed push toward day rate increases, faster payment terms, and more transparent contract structures as freelancers work to offset reduced take home pay.”
“However, a positive change from the Budget was around the enhanced Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) schemes. For scale-ups, agencies, and emerging tech firms, enhanced EMI options provide a powerful mechanism to compete with corporate salaries, retain senior specialists and reward long term contribution.
“As the war for talent intensifies – especially for engineering, AI, product, and commercial roles, these schemes offer a strategic advantage for businesses willing to build equity into compensation packages.
“The budget’s reforms to the apprenticeship levy has created new opportunities for media and tech employers. It allows them to bring in junior talent at lower cost, access fully funded training, build diverse, skills-based pipelines and reskill internal teams through more flexible levy usage.”
She added, “For sectors facing skills shortages from VFX and post-production to software engineering and cybersecurity—this is a welcome move. It supports a long-term approach to talent development and aligns with broader growth ambitions.
“Success in this new post-Budget landscape will depend on how organisations adapt; balancing short-term financial pressures with long-term opportunities for innovation, upskilling, and sustainable expansion.”
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