8 in 10 creative workers say the BBC is vital to success of wider creative industries
A survey of Bectu members, conducted as part of a wider Prospect survey of all sectors the union represents, has highlighted the extent to which the whole creative industries ecosystem in the UK is dependent on the BBC.
Nearly 600 workers from across the creative industries responded to the survey.
83% of workers across film, TV, theatre, live events and other areas of the creative economy said that the BBC is important to the health and sustainability of the UK’s creative industries as a whole, showing the level of regard workers in the sector hold for it.
In the past five years, 34% of all Bectu members have worked on a BBC commissioned production; 20% have worked on a production made by BBC Studios; 20% have worked on a production funded, co-funded or distributed by the BBC; and an additional 5% have worked on a production for an independent company closely linked to the BBC.
A critical time for the BBC and its workforce
The findings highlight the importance of the forthcoming new BBC Charter in securing a sustainable funding model that will future-proof both the BBC and the wider UK creative industries.
Charter renewal is particularly important in the wake of the BBC announcement of 10% staff cuts and around 2,000 job losses. These are coming at a time when people working in the BBC are already struggling and overworked.
Our survey found that 67% of workers in broadcasting say they feel less secure at work than a year ago, 74% say the outlook for the industry they work in is worse than a year ago and 76% report a decline in morale at work over the last 12 months.
Workers across broadcasting also reported huge rates of restructuring, with over 60% reporting redundancies at their workplace in the past year.
Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:
“The BBC has rarely been so important, providing internationally trusted independent news as well as uniquely British entertainment. It is a key driver of the UK economy and, as our survey shows, essential to the creative industries as a whole.
“The new Director General has come in at a vital time. Cuts have left BBC workers, and colleagues across the sector, more worried about their future and the future of their industry. The BBC is a huge UK success story but it is at risk.
“The findings of our survey should be a wake-up call to the BBC Board and to the government. If you don’t use the new Charter to put BBC funding on a long-term sustainable footing then the impact will be severe.
“Back our BBC or we will all suffer culturally as well as economically.”
Read more from the survey by downloading our members’ briefing on the Bectu Library.