The Film and TV Charity’s second Money Matters report – examining the financial resilience of industry workers – uncovers that the UK’s film, TV, and cinema industry is becoming increasingly unsustainable for far too many of the people who keep it running.

Drawing on more than 2,000 responses from industry workers, the report reveals a workforce under severe and escalating pressure. For those in the industry, the compound effects of challenges over recent years have not eased; instead, they are accelerating the rate at which workers are being pushed out of the sector, with freelancers feeling the impact most acutely.

Key findings include:

• 22 per cent of respondents reported experiencing ‘sustained worklessness’ – 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’s an average gap of seven-months between jobs
• 46 per cent of freelancers are finding it difficult to manage financially vs 27 per cent of permanent staff
• Over the last 12 months, 74 per cent have considered leaving the industry due to financial worries and 43 per cent have already taken firm steps to leave, an increase from 32 per cent in 2023

Insights also show that the consequences of this instability are both immediate and long-term. As workers struggle to secure consistent earnings, their savings are depleted, pension contributions stall, and long-term planning becomes increasingly out of reach:

• 56 per cent of respondents are not saving into a pension, rising to 63 per cent among freelancers
• And 36 per cent of respondents had less than £1,000 in savings

Taken together, this is evidence that the issue extends beyond short‑term fluctuations in work availability, showing that even a sudden increase in available work would not resolve the financial crisis facing industry workers. For many – particularly freelancers – the absence of savings, security and long-term financial planning means instability has become entrenched, further threatening the sustainability of careers across the sector. This, the report says, points to a structural challenge that cannot be solved by short-term recovery alone, and underscores the need for systemic, industry-wide intervention.

While the Money Matters report shows that many of these challenges are deeply entrenched, it does also point to signs of industry level action already taking place. 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 Charity also waits with interest on the appointment of the ‘Freelance Champion’ announced by the Government.

Commenting on the report, 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.”

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Categories: Articles, Consumer Behaviour, Production, Research

Tags: charity, production, UK