Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the UK's creative economy of findings in the Film and TV Charity's report Looking Glass Survey 2024, published on 3 February 2025, that 73 per cent of workers in the screen production workforce have considered leaving the industry due to mental health concerns; and what steps they are taking to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the workforce.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government’s ambition is to make the UK the best place in the world to make film and television. Central to that ambition is a workforce that is skilled, supported, and able to build sustainable careers.
The concerning findings of the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey demonstrate why workforce wellbeing sits at the heart of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, including our focus on more stable employment and stronger career pathways.
We are working with industry to improve working conditions and standards of behaviour, including through our continued support of the Good Work Review action plan and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
The British Film Institute, as a DCMS Arm’s Length Body, has invested £1.5 million in WorkWise for Screen to help production companies strengthen their management practices. We will also appoint a Creative Freelance Champion to advocate for freelancers, who make up a disproportionate share of this workforce, in government.
Action is also being taken across Government. The Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Plan to Make Work Pay will tackle late payments, establish the right to a written contract, and extend health and safety protections. The government will also support industry to develop skills passports and begin implementation from 2026, which will support progression and help reduce the precariousness that fuels poor mental health.
The Government is clear that the strength of our film and television sector depends on a workforce that is valued, supported, and able to thrive. With opportunities ahead - including the BBC Charter Review, wider sector growth, and the continued delivery of our Sector Plan - we are focused on ensuring the workforce can flourish in a changing industry.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with industry bodies and broadcasters regarding the finding in the Film and TV Charity's report Looking Glass Survey 2024, published on 3 February 2025, that 30 per cent of film and television workers surveyed had experienced suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months; and what plans they have to provide additional support to the sector.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government’s ambition is to make the UK the best place in the world to make film and television. Central to that ambition is a workforce that is skilled, supported, and able to build sustainable careers.
The concerning findings of the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey demonstrate why workforce wellbeing sits at the heart of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, including our focus on more stable employment and stronger career pathways.
We are working with industry to improve working conditions and standards of behaviour, including through our continued support of the Good Work Review action plan and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
The British Film Institute, as a DCMS Arm’s Length Body, has invested £1.5 million in WorkWise for Screen to help production companies strengthen their management practices. We will also appoint a Creative Freelance Champion to advocate for freelancers, who make up a disproportionate share of this workforce, in government.
Action is also being taken across Government. The Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Plan to Make Work Pay will tackle late payments, establish the right to a written contract, and extend health and safety protections. The government will also support industry to develop skills passports and begin implementation from 2026, which will support progression and help reduce the precariousness that fuels poor mental health.
The Government is clear that the strength of our film and television sector depends on a workforce that is valued, supported, and able to thrive. With opportunities ahead - including the BBC Charter Review, wider sector growth, and the continued delivery of our Sector Plan - we are focused on ensuring the workforce can flourish in a changing industry.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the findings in the Film and TV Charity's report Looking Glass Survey 2024, published on 3 February 2025, that instability of employment and high-pressure working conditions in the screen production workforce are leading 73 per cent of workers surveyed to consider leaving the industry; and whether they intend to strengthen mental health protections for that workforce as a result.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government’s ambition is to make the UK the best place in the world to make film and television. Central to that ambition is a workforce that is skilled, supported, and able to build sustainable careers.
The concerning findings of the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey demonstrate why workforce wellbeing sits at the heart of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, including our focus on more stable employment and stronger career pathways.
We are working with industry to improve working conditions and standards of behaviour, including through our continued support of the Good Work Review action plan and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
The British Film Institute, as a DCMS Arm’s Length Body, has invested £1.5 million in WorkWise for Screen to help production companies strengthen their management practices. We will also appoint a Creative Freelance Champion to advocate for freelancers, who make up a disproportionate share of this workforce, in government.
Action is also being taken across Government. The Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Plan to Make Work Pay will tackle late payments, establish the right to a written contract, and extend health and safety protections. The government will also support industry to develop skills passports and begin implementation from 2026, which will support progression and help reduce the precariousness that fuels poor mental health.
The Government is clear that the strength of our film and television sector depends on a workforce that is valued, supported, and able to thrive. With opportunities ahead - including the BBC Charter Review, wider sector growth, and the continued delivery of our Sector Plan - we are focused on ensuring the workforce can flourish in a changing industry.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the adoption of the Principles for Mentally Healthy Productions, launched by the Film and TV Charity on 25 February, across publicly funded broadcasters, studios and production companies; and whether compliance with those principles will be considered within commissioning frameworks supported by public funds.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government’s ambition is to make the UK the best place in the world to make film and television. Central to that ambition is a workforce that is skilled, supported, and able to build sustainable careers.
The concerning findings of the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey demonstrate why workforce wellbeing sits at the heart of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, including our focus on more stable employment and stronger career pathways.
We are working with industry to improve working conditions and standards of behaviour, including through our continued support of the Good Work Review action plan and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
The British Film Institute, as a DCMS Arm’s Length Body, has invested £1.5 million in WorkWise for Screen to help production companies strengthen their management practices. We will also appoint a Creative Freelance Champion to advocate for freelancers, who make up a disproportionate share of this workforce, in government.
Action is also being taken across Government. The Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Plan to Make Work Pay will tackle late payments, establish the right to a written contract, and extend health and safety protections. The government will also support industry to develop skills passports and begin implementation from 2026, which will support progression and help reduce the precariousness that fuels poor mental health.
The Government is clear that the strength of our film and television sector depends on a workforce that is valued, supported, and able to thrive. With opportunities ahead - including the BBC Charter Review, wider sector growth, and the continued delivery of our Sector Plan - we are focused on ensuring the workforce can flourish in a changing industry.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the Film and TV Charity's report Looking Glass Survey 2024, published on 3 February 2025, that 35 per cent of UK film and television workers describe their mental health as poor or very poor; and what steps they are taking to improve mental health outcomes in the screen production workforce.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government’s ambition is to make the UK the best place in the world to make film and television. Central to that ambition is a workforce that is skilled, supported, and able to build sustainable careers.
The concerning findings of the Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass Survey demonstrate why workforce wellbeing sits at the heart of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, including our focus on more stable employment and stronger career pathways.
We are working with industry to improve working conditions and standards of behaviour, including through our continued support of the Good Work Review action plan and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
The British Film Institute, as a DCMS Arm’s Length Body, has invested £1.5 million in WorkWise for Screen to help production companies strengthen their management practices. We will also appoint a Creative Freelance Champion to advocate for freelancers, who make up a disproportionate share of this workforce, in government.
Action is also being taken across Government. The Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Plan to Make Work Pay will tackle late payments, establish the right to a written contract, and extend health and safety protections. The government will also support industry to develop skills passports and begin implementation from 2026, which will support progression and help reduce the precariousness that fuels poor mental health.
The Government is clear that the strength of our film and television sector depends on a workforce that is valued, supported, and able to thrive. With opportunities ahead - including the BBC Charter Review, wider sector growth, and the continued delivery of our Sector Plan - we are focused on ensuring the workforce can flourish in a changing industry.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) reduced budgets, (2) loss of advertising revenue, and (3) a changing production landscape, on the UK television and film sector; and what steps they are taking to incentivise people to work in the sector.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government has a clear plan to grow the creative industries by a further £50 billion and another 1 million jobs by 2030. This was set out in June 2023 in the Creative Industries Sector Vision, which was accompanied by £77 million of new funding to support the sector’s growth. This is in addition to the range of tax reliefs for the creative industries which have been introduced or expanded since 2010, including for film and television.
HM Government is already taking steps to ensure a strong, skilled and resilient workforce for the film and television sector – as well as the creative industries more broadly – across the UK. The Creative Industries Sector Vision set out that by 2030 we want to deliver on our creative careers promise to build a pipeline of talent into the sector, and to support the creation of a million extra jobs. The Sector Vision includes a long-term strategy to improve the quality of jobs and working practices in the sector, including supporting the high proportion of self-employed workers in the sector through the promotion of fair treatment, support networks, and resources (for example through Creative UK’s ‘Redesigning Freelancing’ initiative).
HM Government also welcomes the steps that our public service broadcasters have taken to support self-employed workers. This includes the support announced by Channel 4 and the BBC in August, in partnership with the National Film and Television School.
DCMS and the industry have also committed to produce an action plan in response to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre’s Good Work Review; these actions include the recent launch of the British Film Institute’s £1.5 million Good Work Programme for screen. HM Government will continue to work with the BFI and the Screen Sector Skills Task Force to support a strong skills pipeline into the sector.
On pensions, the new State Pension supports self-employed freelancers as comprehensively as employed people. The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, means that self-employed people can receive a State Pension which is around £2,700 a year higher than it would have been in the previous system. The self-employed are a highly diverse group with varying incomes, assets, and employment experiences. The Department for Work & Pensions has undertaken an initial research and trial programme to test different approaches aimed at increasing private pension-saving. It is currently working with research partners, including looking at international evidence, to explore the feasibility of building and testing retirement savings solutions in digital platforms used by self-employed people to manage their money.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their long-term strategy to preserve the UK television and film industry and provide employment security for its workers; and what consideration they have given to a freelancer pension scheme or fund, similar to the French model.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government has a clear plan to grow the creative industries by a further £50 billion and another 1 million jobs by 2030. This was set out in June 2023 in the Creative Industries Sector Vision, which was accompanied by £77 million of new funding to support the sector’s growth. This is in addition to the range of tax reliefs for the creative industries which have been introduced or expanded since 2010, including for film and television.
HM Government is already taking steps to ensure a strong, skilled and resilient workforce for the film and television sector – as well as the creative industries more broadly – across the UK. The Creative Industries Sector Vision set out that by 2030 we want to deliver on our creative careers promise to build a pipeline of talent into the sector, and to support the creation of a million extra jobs. The Sector Vision includes a long-term strategy to improve the quality of jobs and working practices in the sector, including supporting the high proportion of self-employed workers in the sector through the promotion of fair treatment, support networks, and resources (for example through Creative UK’s ‘Redesigning Freelancing’ initiative).
HM Government also welcomes the steps that our public service broadcasters have taken to support self-employed workers. This includes the support announced by Channel 4 and the BBC in August, in partnership with the National Film and Television School.
DCMS and the industry have also committed to produce an action plan in response to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre’s Good Work Review; these actions include the recent launch of the British Film Institute’s £1.5 million Good Work Programme for screen. HM Government will continue to work with the BFI and the Screen Sector Skills Task Force to support a strong skills pipeline into the sector.
On pensions, the new State Pension supports self-employed freelancers as comprehensively as employed people. The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, means that self-employed people can receive a State Pension which is around £2,700 a year higher than it would have been in the previous system. The self-employed are a highly diverse group with varying incomes, assets, and employment experiences. The Department for Work & Pensions has undertaken an initial research and trial programme to test different approaches aimed at increasing private pension-saving. It is currently working with research partners, including looking at international evidence, to explore the feasibility of building and testing retirement savings solutions in digital platforms used by self-employed people to manage their money.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to appoint a commissioner for freelancers.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government has a clear plan to grow the creative industries by a further £50 billion and another 1 million jobs by 2030. This was set out in June 2023 in the Creative Industries Sector Vision, which was accompanied by £77 million of new funding to support the sector’s growth. This is in addition to the range of tax reliefs for the creative industries which have been introduced or expanded since 2010, including for film and television.
HM Government is already taking steps to ensure a strong, skilled and resilient workforce for the film and television sector – as well as the creative industries more broadly – across the UK. The Creative Industries Sector Vision set out that by 2030 we want to deliver on our creative careers promise to build a pipeline of talent into the sector, and to support the creation of a million extra jobs. The Sector Vision includes a long-term strategy to improve the quality of jobs and working practices in the sector, including supporting the high proportion of self-employed workers in the sector through the promotion of fair treatment, support networks, and resources (for example through Creative UK’s ‘Redesigning Freelancing’ initiative).
HM Government also welcomes the steps that our public service broadcasters have taken to support self-employed workers. This includes the support announced by Channel 4 and the BBC in August, in partnership with the National Film and Television School.
DCMS and the industry have also committed to produce an action plan in response to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre’s Good Work Review; these actions include the recent launch of the British Film Institute’s £1.5 million Good Work Programme for screen. HM Government will continue to work with the BFI and the Screen Sector Skills Task Force to support a strong skills pipeline into the sector.
On pensions, the new State Pension supports self-employed freelancers as comprehensively as employed people. The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, means that self-employed people can receive a State Pension which is around £2,700 a year higher than it would have been in the previous system. The self-employed are a highly diverse group with varying incomes, assets, and employment experiences. The Department for Work & Pensions has undertaken an initial research and trial programme to test different approaches aimed at increasing private pension-saving. It is currently working with research partners, including looking at international evidence, to explore the feasibility of building and testing retirement savings solutions in digital platforms used by self-employed people to manage their money.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent a decline in the UK television and film industry as a result of high numbers of workers leaving the industry because they are unable to make a living.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government has a clear plan to grow the creative industries by a further £50 billion and another 1 million jobs by 2030. This was set out in June 2023 in the Creative Industries Sector Vision, which was accompanied by £77 million of new funding to support the sector’s growth. This is in addition to the range of tax reliefs for the creative industries which have been introduced or expanded since 2010, including for film and television.
HM Government is already taking steps to ensure a strong, skilled and resilient workforce for the film and television sector – as well as the creative industries more broadly – across the UK. The Creative Industries Sector Vision set out that by 2030 we want to deliver on our creative careers promise to build a pipeline of talent into the sector, and to support the creation of a million extra jobs. The Sector Vision includes a long-term strategy to improve the quality of jobs and working practices in the sector, including supporting the high proportion of self-employed workers in the sector through the promotion of fair treatment, support networks, and resources (for example through Creative UK’s ‘Redesigning Freelancing’ initiative).
HM Government also welcomes the steps that our public service broadcasters have taken to support self-employed workers. This includes the support announced by Channel 4 and the BBC in August, in partnership with the National Film and Television School.
DCMS and the industry have also committed to produce an action plan in response to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre’s Good Work Review; these actions include the recent launch of the British Film Institute’s £1.5 million Good Work Programme for screen. HM Government will continue to work with the BFI and the Screen Sector Skills Task Force to support a strong skills pipeline into the sector.
On pensions, the new State Pension supports self-employed freelancers as comprehensively as employed people. The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, means that self-employed people can receive a State Pension which is around £2,700 a year higher than it would have been in the previous system. The self-employed are a highly diverse group with varying incomes, assets, and employment experiences. The Department for Work & Pensions has undertaken an initial research and trial programme to test different approaches aimed at increasing private pension-saving. It is currently working with research partners, including looking at international evidence, to explore the feasibility of building and testing retirement savings solutions in digital platforms used by self-employed people to manage their money.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of figures showing that 68 per cent of freelancers in the television and film industry are no longer able to find employment; and of the impact on the UK creative industries.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government has a clear plan to grow the creative industries by a further £50 billion and another 1 million jobs by 2030. This was set out in June 2023 in the Creative Industries Sector Vision, which was accompanied by £77 million of new funding to support the sector’s growth. This is in addition to the range of tax reliefs for the creative industries which have been introduced or expanded since 2010, including for film and television.
HM Government is already taking steps to ensure a strong, skilled and resilient workforce for the film and television sector – as well as the creative industries more broadly – across the UK. The Creative Industries Sector Vision set out that by 2030 we want to deliver on our creative careers promise to build a pipeline of talent into the sector, and to support the creation of a million extra jobs. The Sector Vision includes a long-term strategy to improve the quality of jobs and working practices in the sector, including supporting the high proportion of self-employed workers in the sector through the promotion of fair treatment, support networks, and resources (for example through Creative UK’s ‘Redesigning Freelancing’ initiative).
HM Government also welcomes the steps that our public service broadcasters have taken to support self-employed workers. This includes the support announced by Channel 4 and the BBC in August, in partnership with the National Film and Television School.
DCMS and the industry have also committed to produce an action plan in response to the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre’s Good Work Review; these actions include the recent launch of the British Film Institute’s £1.5 million Good Work Programme for screen. HM Government will continue to work with the BFI and the Screen Sector Skills Task Force to support a strong skills pipeline into the sector.
On pensions, the new State Pension supports self-employed freelancers as comprehensively as employed people. The new State Pension, introduced in 2016, means that self-employed people can receive a State Pension which is around £2,700 a year higher than it would have been in the previous system. The self-employed are a highly diverse group with varying incomes, assets, and employment experiences. The Department for Work & Pensions has undertaken an initial research and trial programme to test different approaches aimed at increasing private pension-saving. It is currently working with research partners, including looking at international evidence, to explore the feasibility of building and testing retirement savings solutions in digital platforms used by self-employed people to manage their money.