Freelancer Exodus Threatens Future of UK Film and TV Industry, New Report Warns

The UK’s status as a global powerhouse in film and television production is under threat due to an escalating crisis among freelancers, a new study has revealed.

Published today (29 April) by the Screen Industry Voices team at the University of Reading, the report highlights a series of urgent challenges facing freelance workers in the film and TV sector — including financial instability, a lack of support services, and illegal employment practices. Researchers warn that unless working conditions improve, the UK risks losing the workforce vital to the sector’s £11 billion contribution to the economy.

"Freelancers make up almost half of the UK’s film and television workforce. Without them, the industry simply wouldn’t exist," said Professor Lisa Purse, lead researcher and Professor of Film at the University of Reading.

"The government has recognised the creative industries as central to its economic growth strategy, but without immediate action to support freelancers, we risk losing the talent that makes the industry so valuable."

The report paints a stark picture: over a third of freelancers surveyed said they are considering leaving the industry within the next five years. Accounts from experienced workers describe selling their homes to stay afloat, long stretches without work, and a lack of basic employment benefits such as sick and holiday pay.

In response to these findings, researchers are calling for urgent reforms, including:

• The appointment of a dedicated Minister for Self-Employment and Precarious Workers
• Industry-wide standards for freelance employment, with certification tied to funding eligibility
• Mandatory data collection on freelancers as a condition for tax credits and funding
• The creation of an online platform offering freelancers tailored support and resources

Dr Andrew Philip, a former freelance editor and co-author of the report, said: "Twenty years in the industry left me burned out, with no pension and struggling to find consistent work. Talented professionals are walking away because the industry is failing them."

The report’s warnings come at a critical time, as the government’s ‘Invest 2035’ industrial strategy places the creative industries at the heart of future economic growth. Without action, experts warn that the ongoing freelancer exodus could derail these ambitions.

One area of particular concern is diversity. The report found that women and people of colour are disproportionately likely to leave the industry. Freelancers described an industry that remains structurally biased, with one screenwriter highlighting how “black and brown talent is not valued in the same way that white talent is.”

Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at the BFI, said the findings reflect broader issues across the sector. “Reports of people struggling with working conditions, poor mental health and work-life balance are unfortunately widespread," she said. "Our Good Work Programme for Screen, including the WorkWise for Screen pilot, aims to address these challenges, promoting dignity, respect, and inclusion in the workplace.”

The Screen Industry Voices report follows similar warnings from Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which has urged the government to bolster support for British film to ensure its long-term success. Dr Dominic Lees, from the University of Reading’s Department of Film, Theatre & Television, has also contributed expertise to the committee’s ongoing work on the future of the screen industries.

As the UK strives to remain a leader in global content production, the message from researchers is clear: without freelancers, there is no film and TV industry — and their concerns must be urgently addressed.

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