A recent cost-of-living survey by Pact has found that costs have increased by 10-20% for most producers, with 86% of respondents saying it has impacted on their margins.  

Another finding in the survey was that 42% of respondents said that the broadcasters and streamers have not been understanding or tried to help with rising costs. The survey was launched in October, aiming to establish how the cost-of-living crisis was impacting producers.  

The questions about increases in prices were broken down into categories, with findings as follows: 

Forty-three per cent of respondents said that labour costs (eg crew, freelancers) had increased by 20% over the last year with only 3% saying that these costs had not increased at all. And nearly half (49%) said that their costs for services (eg catering, locations, post production) increased by 10%.

Thirty-three per cent of respondents said that costs for materials (eg. art department, costumes) had increased by 10%, rising to 40% for producers based in London.

For on screen talent, 40% said costs had increased by 10% over the last year with 26% saying that costs had increased by over 10%.

For off screen talent, more producers (42%) said that costs had increased by 10% over the past year and 32% of respondents said they had increased by 20%.

For producers based in the Nations and Regions, 38% said that costs for on-screen talent had increased by 10%.

For producers based in London, 47% said costs for on-screen talent had increased by 10% in the past year. This was on a par with off screen talent with 45% saying these costs had increased by 10%.
Forty-six per cent of respondents said that their direct business costs, which includes things such as rent, utilities and office supplies, had increased by 10% over the past year while 29% said these costs had increased by over 10% in the last year.

Pact CEO John McVay said, “We knew that members were facing higher costs, but this survey has helped to show us the extent that the cost-of-living crisis is impacting production companies across the UK. We will use this survey going forward to aid our discussions with Government and broadcasters.” 

Angela Black image via Two Brothers Pictures.