Ban on upfront model fees planned

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Sarah Doukas of the Storm agency advice on avoiding scams

Modelling agencies would be banned from charging upfront fees, under government plans to be announced later.

Business Minister Pat McFadden said the government had introduced a "cooling-off period" but still received reports of young hopefuls being exploited.

New plans aimed at "unscrupulous agents" would ban upfront payments outright, he said.

Models and acting extras would be covered by new draft regulations which could come into force next year.

Agencies that broke the law could face prosecution, a ban on operating for 10 years and unlimited court fines.

Ministers are concerned rogue agencies have been exploiting vulnerable teenagers by taking their money while offering little chance of success.

Mr McFadden said: "Unfortunately there are some rogue agencies that prey on models and entertainers who have stars in their eyes.

"Last year we introduced a cooling-off period for upfront fees, but we are still receiving some reports that people are being exploited. So now we are going even further by banning them outright.

"This will tackle the unscrupulous agents that represent the less appealing face of the modelling and entertainment industry."

The new rules would be enforced by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate.

Martin Kenny, from performers and artists' trade union Equity, said he supported efforts to offer "greater protection against the acts of unscrupulous agents".

And Spencer MacDonald, of broadcasting union Bectu, added: "This could now spell the end of the worst abusive practices that have plagued agency workers in the entertainment sector."