According to the second Money Matters report published by the Film & TV Charity, the UK film and television industry is facing a severe financial crisis.
Based on responses from more than 2,000 film & TV professionals, 74% say they are considering leaving the sector due to financial concerns. Meanwhile, 43% have already taken concrete steps to exit the industry, up from 32% in 2023.
The report reveals that 22% worked fewer than three months over the past year, with an average seven-month gap between jobs. Financial strain is particularly acute among freelancers, with 46% reporting difficulties managing financially, compared with 27% of permanent staff.
In addition, 56% of respondents in the film & TV sectors are not contributing to a pension scheme, a figure that rises to 63% among freelancers, and 36% have less than £1,000 in savings.
The charity warns that even a sudden increase in available work would not be enough to resolve the sector’s structural financial challenges.
Creative UK has proposed freelancer-specific hybrid pension models, while initiatives such as ITV’s Green Room and Work Wise for Screen are part of broader efforts to address the crisis.
CEO Marcus Ryder stressed that without coordinated and systemic intervention, the industry risks losing the creative talent that underpins the UK’s screen sector.
