Half of UK screen industry workers remain out of work, Bectu research finds 

A year on from the SAG-AFTRA industrial action in the US and the subsequent halt in UK film and TV production, more than half (52%) of the UK’s film and TV workforce are still out of work. 

Bectu, the UK’s trade union for the creative industries, surveyed more than 2,300 film and TV workers from across the UK. 

Following a February 2024 survey which found that 68% were not currently working, the latest survey indicates a slow and small recovery as work in some areas picks up, although very few are benefitting. 

And as the work drought deepens, more people than ever are considering leaving the sector altogether. 

38% of respondents said they planned to leave the film and TV industry in the next five years, up from 24% in September 2023 and 37% in February 2024. 

This figure is even higher in unscripted TV, with more than half (53%) of those working in the sector saying they plan to leave the industry. 

The impact on workers’ financial and mental health remains stark, and the findings also show a predicted loss of diverse industry talent. 

Key findings include: 

• The proportion of those out of work is high across all sectors, including film (52%), TV drama (51%), unscripted TV (57%) and commercials (53%). 

• Just 6% say they have seen a full recovery in their employment since the US industrial action was called. In February, this figure was 4%. 

• The impact on the unscripted sector is stark, especially as 66% of unscripted workers said their employment was not directly impacted by the US strikes.  

• BAME respondents are more likely to report being out of work currently than their white counterparts (51% white, 62% Black/Black British, 67% Asian/Asian British and 56% other BAME workers are currently out of work).  

• 54% of disabled workers are currently out of work, compared with 52% of those without disabilities.  

• Older workers are much less likely to currently be in work; 31% of 18-24s, 46% of 24-34s, 50% of 35-44s, 57% of 45-54s, 58% of 55-64s and 68% of over 65s are currently out of work.  

Financial and mental health impacts 

81% report finding things more difficult financially than normal, given the fall in work, and more than one in five (21%) have had to take out a loan or unsecured debt. 

This is a sustained increase since September 2023, as the impact of the crisis has worsened the longer the slowdown has gone on.  

In February, Bectu saw an increase in people unable to pay all of their household bills (24%) than they were in September (22%), and there has been an increase in people taking on loans or unsecured debt in order to cover their bills (up from 15% in September).  

7 in 10 reported struggling with their mental wellbeing – little improvement from February when this figure was 75%.  

Concerns for industry diversity 

The proportion of BAME workers planning to leave the industry in the next five years remains higher than their white counterparts (37% of white respondents compared with 44% of Black/Black British respondents, 41% of Asian/Asian British, and 40% of respondents from mixed or multiple ethnic groups). 

Women (41%) and nonbinary respondents (38%) are also planning to leave the industry at a higher rate than men (36%). 

41% of those with parenting and caring responsibilities see themselves leaving the industry in the next 5 years, compared to 36% of those without.  

42% of respondents who have a disability are planning to leave the industry, compared to 37% of those who are not disabled. 

Responses from film and TV workers include: 

“The LA strikes have had such a brutal impact on so many of us here in the UK. I would never have imagined that I would be still out of work 14 months later. We were definitely unprepared for the long haul.” – Costume Cutter/Workroom Supervisor  

“I have never struggled to find work like this in 25 years. I’ve had nothing at all in 7 months. I feel used and discarded.” – Series producer 

“Times like this show the utter disregard for and blatant exploitation of the film and TV workforce. Inhumane hours, zero life balance, and toxic working environments are the norm in this industry, while crew are being made to feel “lucky” to be there. – Grip 

“The worst part is no communication on future outlook. No idea if the industry is permanently changed or the issue is temporary.” – Editor 

“The industry is changing form. It doesn’t feel temporary. It feels like a long-term change. And it’s been one the hardest years I’ve ever experienced, both financially and emotionally. We are not supported in any way.” – Sculptor 

“The industry is an absolute shambles and that’s an understatement. Very few of us had furlough during Covid, whilst only universal credit. This second setback is beyond crippling – every month people are saying it’s going to get better but we are all still waiting. We have fantastic creative talent that is going to waste.” – Clapper loader 

“The last job I did was part time, with a pay cut, with multiple roles rolled into one and a drastically reduced schedule. The output at the end was expected to be the same quality. I was lucky to get this, but this is not sustainable. This looks to be what the industry is now looking like and I can’t think of anyone that this would work foe. It has felt like being pushed out of a moving train… it is brutal and lonely. – DV Director / AP 

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

“The film and TV workforce has already faced incredible and unprecedented hardships throughout and following the pandemic and have now been hit by a second crisis that shows little signs of abating. 

“There has been a lot of discussion about the state of the industry over the past year – about strikes in the US, a downturn in ad revenue, and reduced commissioning. 

“Clearly, little has materially improved for the workforce and these discussions must be laser focused on how we can collectively make things better for workers, who are critical to the sector’s success but continue to bear the brunt of industry changes. 

“Bectu has been holding regular discussions with UK broadcasters and other stakeholders to push for improved support mechanisms and with a new government in place, we are doing all we can to ensure workers’ needs are top of the political agenda. 

“Our findings speak for themselves – if the industry doesn’t take tangible and collective action soon, we will see a huge skills exodus and a further deterioration in industry diversity, alongside prolonged mental health challenges and debilitating financial difficulties.”