The Film and TV Charity is releasing an extra £500,000 to help screen sector workers facing critical financial conditions. 
 

With many industry workers facing dire financial situations, the charity has seen a massive 800% rise in applications from those in need of stop-gap grants. 
 

Research conducted in May suggested low levels of financial resilience with workers from under-represented groups more likely to be affected.

Since then, the writers and actors strikes have kicked in, which are having a huge impact on UK production, adding fuel to the existing cost-of-living crisis and pressures on scripted and unscripted production budgets. 
 

Following a briefing call with representatives from the charity’s corporate partners, BBC, Channel 4, ITV, Channel 5, and Prime Video pledged donations to bolster the charity’s budget, adding to donations from other organisations and individuals that have been made during the charity’s summer campaign. Other partners are expected to add to the overall pot as the challenging period looks set to continue.

Speaking ahead of a session at this week’s Edinburgh International TV Festival, incoming Film and TV Charity CEO Marcus Ryder said: “The rise in grants applications we have seen, and the testimony we are hearing from production staff feeling the effects of a wide range of factors all serve to underline a systemic problem with the financial resilience of the workforce who drive the UK production sector. 

“As far back as 2019, our Looking Glass research highlighted the impact the boom-and-bust nature of the business can have on workers, especially freelancers. In February 2023, the latest Looking Glass data showed 75% of respondents were worried about future income, and that was before the current cost-of-living crisis and other factors affecting production had taken root.” 

Ryder added: “Having weathered the pandemic as an industry, the cost-of-living crisis, and other contributing factors like the impact of US strikes on global production, and pressures on scripted and unscripted production budgets, see financial instability emerging as a growing concern and a significant contributor to the mental health and wellbeing of film, TV, and cinema workers, especially freelancers and other already marginalised workers.
 

“However, during discussions with our partners and stakeholders, their concern when presented with the reality of the situation for many has been palpable. Just as they worked with us in response to the mental health emergency uncovered by the first Looking Glass survey, we hope they will once again rise to the challenge and come together to address what is clearly the next significant pillar of our collective response to improve the wellbeing of everyone working in our industry.”

Emma Hardy, director of commissioning operations at Channel 4 said; “The TV production sector is facing unprecedented challenges and we know that many freelancers are struggling. This is an industry-wide issue that needs industry-wide solutions, and we are grateful to the Film and TV Charity for leading this project to help freelancers in urgent financial need. Channel 4 is proud to be contributing to the fund as part of our long-term support for the UK freelance community.”  

Dan Grabiner, head of originals, UK & Northern Europe, Prime Video, said: “We value the vital work that the Film and TV Charity is doing, and it’s critical that we continue to support the world-class creative workforce we have behind the scenes of UK film and television.”

Marcus Ryder will be joining the panel at the Edinburgh TV Festival’s opening debate: Who Holds the Power in TV at 10am on August 23rd.He will also be joining the Film and TV Charity’s own panel session: Production under pressure: Supporting life on the frontline at 4:45pm on August 23rd.