London calling: a year on from the SAG-AFTRA industrial action in the US and the subsequent halt in UK film and TV production, more than half (52%) of the UK’s film and TV workforce are still out of work. Bectu, the UK’s trade union for the creative industries, surveyed more than 2,300 film and TV workers from across the UK.
Following a February 2024 survey which found that 68% were not currently working, the latest survey indicates a slow and small recovery as work in some areas picks up, although very few are benefitting.
And as the work drought deepens, more people than ever are considering leaving the sector altogether. 38% of respondents said they planned to leave the film and TV industry in the next five years, up from 24% in September 2023 and 37% in February 2024. This figure is even higher in unscripted TV, with more than half (53%) of those working in the sector saying they plan to leave the industry. The impact on workers’ financial and mental health remains stark, and the findings also show a predicted loss of diverse industry talent.
Next, let's review some key points from the report. Firstly, the proportion of those out of work is high across all sectors, including film (52%), TV drama (51%), unscripted TV (57%), and commercials (53%). Furthermore, just 6% of respondents say they have seen a full recovery in their employment since the US industrial action was called, which is only a slight increase from 4% in February.
Additionally, the impact on the unscripted sector is stark, especially as 66% of unscripted workers reported that their employment was not directly impacted by the US strikes. Moreover, BAME respondents are more likely to report being out of work currently than their white counterparts, with 51% of white workers, 62% of Black/Black British workers, 67% of Asian/Asian British workers, and 56% of other BAME workers currently out of work.
In the same vein, 54% of disabled workers are currently out of work compared with 52% of those without disabilities. Lastly, older workers are much less likely to be in work, with 31% of 18-24 year-olds, 46% of 24-34 year-olds, 50% of 35-44 year-olds, 57% of 45-54 year-olds, 58% of 55-64 year-olds, and 68% of those over 65 currently out of work.81% report finding things more difficult financially than normal, given the fall in work, and more than one in five (21%) have had to take out a loan or unsecured debt. This is a sustained increase since September 2023, as the impact of the crisis has worsened the longer the slowdown has gone on.
In February, Bectu saw an increase in people unable to pay all of their household bills (24%) than they were in September (22%), and there has been an increase in people taking on loans or unsecured debt in order to cover their bills (up from 15% in September). 7 in 10 reported struggling with their mental wellbeing – little improvement from February when this figure was 75%.
And what, then, are the main concerns of the industry? The proportion of BAME workers planning to leave the industry in the next five years remains higher than their white counterparts (37% of white respondents compared with 44% of Black/Black British respondents, 41% of Asian/Asian British, and 40% of respondents from mixed or multiple ethnic groups). Women (41%) and nonbinary respondents (38%) are also planning to leave the industry at a higher rate than men (36%).
Lastly, there are two key points to consider. Firstly, 41% of those with parenting and caring responsibilities see themselves leaving the industry in the next 5 years, compared to 36% of those without such responsibilities. Additionally, 42% of respondents with a disability are planning to leave the industry, compared to 37% of those who are not disabled.
Related News
