The BECTU sets recommended rates for roles in the media industry to prevent underpayment. It also provides public liability insurance up to £10 million for productions, as well as one-on-one career support and training for UK media professionals. Additionally, the BECTU negotiates terms between employers and employees through collective bargaining. It offers guidance on tax and national insurance for freelancers. Networking meetings and conferences are organized to share opportunities and resources. Finally, the BECTU provides educational courses to improve members' skills.

1. Unit 4 – Pre-production Lauren Whyte
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BECTU
Recommended Rates
Recommended rates are the rates which are set by the BECTU. The rates are based on
consultation with members that reflect the recommended rate the employee should earn
during the job role in the media industry. As a result, the BECTU is in place to avoid
underpayment. Any of the union members that willbe working within the production can find
information about their recommended rates within the London Production Division which is
at BECTU Head Office.
Public Liability Insurance
Public Liability is a type of insurance in the media industry which covers the compensation
payments and legal costs if any member of the public decides to sue your production due to
property damage or any type of injury. The BECTU provides cover for claims up to £10million.
The policy can extend in order to claimup to £25,000 (per claim) on property that has been
loaned and, in the custody, or control of members.
One to One Support
The BECTU provides support for UK staff and freelancers who are working in the media and
entertainment industry in order to support their career. They want to help support these
people and help them to improve their career and their working conditions. BECTU also
provide training, legal services and low-cost insurances for freelancers within the
entertainment and media industry.
Collective Bargaining
Collectivebargaining is part of the BECTU that helps to negotiate terms between an employer
and employee. This is aimed towards reaching an agreement on salaries, working conditions
etc. The BECTU have creating their collective bargaining and put it in place in order to protect
employee rights and avoid anyone being underpaid or working in bad conditions that they
shouldn’t be working in.
Help with Tax and National Insurance
The BECTU also provide help with tax and national insurance. As a freelancer, when it comes
to tax, they have to pay these costs by themselves. This is because only organisations that are
being worked in provide the kind of facilitythat pay. Therefore, the BECTUdecided to provide
a guidance document ( which has been created by HMRC ) in order to help freelancers in the
media and entertainment industry identify key areas when paying tax and national insurance
by themselves.
Networking
Networking occurs in the BECTU when members of this organisation meet together through
meetings or conferences in order to avoid isolation. This is very important in the media and
entertainment industry in order to share job opportunities, knowledge or resources to help
each other progress in their career as independent filmmakers.
Education

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Finally, from an educational point of view, the BECTU provides support, courses and classes
to improve the publics skills ona particular piece of equipment or aparticular aspectof media.
As a result of this education, members are able to improve or learn new skills in order to
progress in their career and increase their chances of success.