The Stage

Clarifying the up-front fees

Published Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 12:50

I have to correct The Stage Snaps news item on page four (July 12). This parliamentary early day motion (EDM) 1598 is signed by MPs, not by “local councillors”.

We are asking all performers to write to their local MP, urging them to sign this EDM.

Minister Jim Fitzpatrick spoke about the number of complaints his department had received, in his recent interview in the summer issue of Equity Journal (www.equity.org.uk/journal/index.html). He said: “In fact in the year 2005/6, there was a lower percentage of cases in the entertainment and modelling sectors than in certain other sectors.”

But I believe the Department of Trade and Industry does not actually log up-front fee complaints by such victims - who have paid such fees yet had no work.

He went on to say: “No, I do not accept that the existing regulations do not protect workers.”

Well, what about The Stage survey, ‘Survey reveals shocking fee results’ (April 27, 2006), which clearly showed that 70% of those who had paid these up-front fees had no work? He said: “It has become clear there is confusion.” He is not wrong there.

In December 2003, we were told by minister Gerry Sutcliffe: “Agencies will no longer be allowed to charge up-front fees before they find work for actors, models and extras - any fee will be chargeable only out of earnings.”

I have looked up the dictionary definition of ‘any’, it states no matter what or which.

Fitzpatrick said: “It is worth remembering prosecution is not the only route to enforcement open to government.”

Prosecutions send out a very clear message. Making absolutely no up-front fee prosecutions also sends out a very clear message - that whatever the scam agencies do, they do not face any penalty by the DTI in any form whatsoever.

Finally, he said: “At present the Employment Agency Standards investigates every complaint.” What utter rubbish. The DTI does not properly investigate up-front fee complaints. I should know! Even Gerry Sutcliffe, last year had to admit that not a single such prosecution had taken place.

This is no longer acceptable. As of July 16, 86 MPs have signed up to EDM 1598 calling for DTI up-front fee prosecutions, a motion submitted by Mark Prisk MP.

For further details see my website www.anactor.net. When MP signatures reach 150, it will be discussed at Cabinet level and when it reaches 200, it will be debated in Parliament. I eagerly await such a moment.

Clive Hurst

Equity councillor