The Film and TV Charity’s Money Matters Survey Reveals Worrying Trend for the Industry
•February 17, 2026
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Why It Matters
If the financial insecurity driving mass exits isn’t addressed, the UK film and TV sector risks losing the expertise that fuels its growth and cultural influence.
Key Takeaways
- •74% consider leaving due to financial pressure
- •43% have taken concrete steps to exit industry
- •22% face sustained worklessness, average seven‑month gaps
- •46% freelancers struggle financially versus 27% permanent staff
- •Talent loss threatens UK film and TV growth
Pulse Analysis
The latest Money Matters survey shines a stark light on the fiscal fragility of the UK’s film and TV workforce. Drawing from 2,000 responses, the report uncovers a wave of attrition: three‑quarters of workers feel compelled to consider leaving, and nearly half have already begun the process. Such churn is not merely a human‑resources issue; it signals a systemic vulnerability that could dampen the sector’s capacity to generate revenue, attract investment, and sustain its global reputation.
Freelancers, who form the backbone of production pipelines, are disproportionately affected. Almost half report difficulty managing finances, compared with just over a quarter of permanent staff. Coupled with a 22 % incidence of sustained worklessness and an average seven‑month employment gap, the data suggest that talent pipelines are thinning at a critical time for content creation. The loss of skilled professionals threatens the UK’s competitive edge in an industry increasingly driven by rapid technology adoption and cross‑border collaborations.
Addressing these challenges will require coordinated action across policy, education, and employment practices. Initiatives such as guaranteed minimum contracts, targeted upskilling programs, and tax incentives for stable hiring could mitigate financial insecurity. By fostering a more sustainable employment model, the sector can retain its creative talent, safeguard cultural output, and continue to contribute robustly to the national economy. Stakeholders who act now will shape a resilient future for the UK’s film and TV landscape.
The Film and TV Charity’s Money Matters survey reveals worrying trend for the industry
The UK’s Film and TV Charity has published its second annual Money Matters report, examining the financial reality of the industry’s workforce.
The report, which draws on 2,000 responses from industry workers, found that three-quarters (74 per cent) are considering leaving due to financial pressure, while 43 per cent have already taken firm steps to leave.
Other key findings include:
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22 per cent of respondents reported experiencing “sustained worklessness” (out of work at the time of the survey and had worked fewer than three months in the last year)
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Among those experiencing sustained worklessness, there’s an average gap of seven months between jobs
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46 per cent of freelancers are finding it difficult to manage financially vs 27 per cent of permanent staff
Commenting on the findings, Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, warned that if the industry fails to address the financial pressures faced by its workers, it risks losing the collective expertise and creative excellence behind the UK’s TV and film output.
“These sectors drive growth, innovation and cultural influence, yet the talent behind them is being choked off by financial insecurity,” said Ryder.
“This report makes one thing clear: without meaningful, coordinated action, the film and TV industry faces a serious risk as more workers are forced to leave. We must commit to building a sustainable sector where people can build stable careers, weather gaps between jobs and save for the future. By working together—across policy, education, and employment practices—we can create an industry where talent is supported, valued, and able to thrive.”
The full report is available to read here.
The post The Film and TV Charity’s Money Matters survey reveals worrying trend for the industry appeared first on TVBEurope.
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