The Film & TV Charity is upping financial support to industry workers by £500,000 after receiving an 800% year-on-year rise in applications for stop-gap grants.
The charity is now calling on industry stakeholders to work together to take action over financial struggles. The BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Prime Video have already pledged to up their contributions to the charity.
In a survey conducted by the charity, due to be unveiled in full at Edinburgh this week, 46% of respondents had less than £1,000 in savings, or none at all, and only half were paying into a pension.
It identified that Black and Global Majority, and Disabled workers often have higher levels of debt and lower household incomes.
Recently-appointed chief executive Marcus Ryder said: “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, we 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.
“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.”
Ryder, who is also a financial wellbeing consultant, will present the research at the festival in a session called Production Under Pressure: Supporting Life on the Frontline at 4.45pm on Wednesday.
