Film and TV insurance scheme welcome news for freelancers

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme – a £500m insurance fund –  to encourage productions to resume.

In response Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “This is a welcome development for the army of dedicated freelancers who are the backbone of the UK film and TV industry. The pandemic created an unprecedented situation cutting off many people’s income overnight and thousands have fallen through the gaps of income support schemes.

“Any move that gives the industry the confidence to return to work as quickly as possible must be supported as our members’ livelihoods depend on joined up and progressive thinking to ensure that production resumes.

“As a result of this development crew should not be expected to take a period of unpaid hiatus if the production stops for COVID-19 reasons which we have seen written into contracts in recent weeks. This insurance back-up means that the risk has been taken on by government and should not be passed on to our members.”