The Film and TV Charity has cautioned that nearly three-quarters (74%) of the UK film and TV workforce is considering leaving the industry in the past year due to financial worries.
The charity’s second Money Matters report, which asked more than 2,000 industry workers for input, revealed that many people’s financial situation has worsened since the previous report, which was published in January 2024.
Nearly half (43%) have already taken firm steps to leave, an increase from 32% in 2023, while the proportion reporting that they are finding it ‘very difficult’ to manage financially has increased from 20% to 26%.
Work scarcity is a key pressure, according to the report, with more than a fifth (22%) of respondents not in work at the time of the survey and experiencing an average gap of seven months between jobs.
The report stressed the added pressure on freelancers compared with full time employees, with nearly half (46%) of freelancers finding it difficult to manage financially compared to just over a quarter (27%) of permanent employees. Just over a third (36%) said they had less than £1,000 in savings, slightly down on the 42% in the previous report.
It revealed that 56% of respondents are not saving into a pension, rising to 63% among freelancers.
Film and TV Charity chief executive Marcus Ryder called for “meaningful, coordinated action” across policy, education, and employment practices as well as the development of freelancer-specific hybrid pension products and tax relief.
“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,” he warned.
“These sectors drive growth, innovation and cultural influence, yet the talent behind them is being choked off by financial insecurity.”
This story first appeared on Screen’s sister site, Broadcast.
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