Film and TV Charity survey reveals half of UK film and TV workforce struggling financially

The Film and TV Charity’s latest report, ‘Money Matters’, outlines the current financial resilience of the UK’s film and TV workforce.

The survey of over 2000 UK film and TV workers found that 45% were finding it either very or quite difficult to manage financially, with 40% stating that they would not be able to make ends meet for more than a month without income.

Less than one in ten respondents were optimistic about their financial future. 71% were pessimistic about their financial future, with 42% having less than £1000 in cash savings, including 27% who had no cash savings at all. Worryingly, 71% expect to not have enough work over the next 6 months.

The charity’s findings echo those from a Bectu survey from September 2023, which found that 75% of respondents were currently out of work, with 35% struggling to pay their households bills, rent or mortgages as a result.

You can download the report here.

Commenting on the report, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“This important report lays bare the incredibly challenging financial reality for too many UK film and TV workers. The knock-on effect of these financial difficulties can be pronounced and wide-reaching, as we know that much of the workforce continues to struggle with their mental wellbeing.

“Our film and TV industry is world-leading and contributes so much to the economy and the social and cultural fabric of the UK. Bectu members and the wider workforce are critical to that success.

“However, as this concerning report makes clear, too many film and TV workers are struggling to simply make ends meet, and many are worried about their future employment prospects. We cannot expect people to continue in a climate where they must rely on charity to get by. Clearly, this is not a sustainable model and the industry needs to recognise that fundamental change is needed.

“The government, too, must put its money where its mouth is. We hear lots of warm words about the immense value of the creative industries, but very little in terms of proper support for freelancers, who are often the first to suffer and the hardest hit when production is impacted.

“With 2024 looking like it will present plenty of challenges for the sector, swift, sustained and structural change will be critical if we are to ensure that current and future generations of film and TV workers can not only survive, but thrive in the industry they love.”