Report warns of unsustainable financial pressure for UK’s film and TV workforce

The Film and TV Charity’s second Money Matters report examined more than 2,000 responses from industry workers. It found that the compounding pressures of recent years had not eased but were accelerating, pushing workers out of the sector, with freelancers feeling the impact most acutely.

Nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents reported experiencing “sustained worklessness”, where they were out of work at the time of the survey and had worked fewer than three months in the last year. Among those experiencing sustained worklessness, there was an average gap of seven months between jobs.

Nearly half (46%) of freelancers were finding it difficult to manage financially versus 27% of permanent staff.

Over the last 12 months, 74% have considered leaving the industry due to financial worries and 43% have already taken firm steps to leave, an increase from 32% in 2023.

As a result, more than half (56%) of respondents are not saving into a pension, rising to 63% among freelancers, while 36% of respondents had less than £1,000 in savings.

According to the report, these findings point to a structural challenge that cannot be solved by short-term recovery alone and underscore the need for systemic, industry-wide intervention.

Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, said: “Our latest Money Matters report shows that if the industry continues on its current path and doesn’t address the financial pressures faced by too many of its workers, we risk losing not just individuals but the collective expertise and creative excellence that power the UK’s screen industries. These sectors drive growth, innovation and cultural influence, yet the talent behind them is being choked off by financial insecurity.

“This report makes one thing clear: without meaningful, coordinated action, the film and TV industry faces a serious risk as more workers are forced to leave. We must commit to building a sustainable sector where people can build stable careers, weather gaps between jobs and save for the future. By working together – across policy, education, and employment practices – we can create an industry where talent is supported, valued, and able to thrive.”

The full report is available to download here.

Industry action

The Money Matters report does highlight several examples of industry-level action already taking place to help combat some of these circumstances. Creative UK has called for the development of freelancer-specific hybrid pension products – potentially including automatic enrolment for those registering as self-employed with HMRC – alongside flexible contributions and built-in tax relief. Meanwhile, initiatives from Work Wise for Screen, Action for Freelancers, and ITV’s Green Room signal growing momentum to address the structural issues facing the industry’s workforce. The Film and TV Charity is also paying close attention to the appointment of the “Freelance Champion” announced by the UK Government.