- Restart scheme supported more than 100,000 jobs for cast and
crew on more than 1,000 productions including Gentleman Jack, His
Dark Materials and Living
- Financial benefits generated by the scheme were 115 times
greater than the cost of delivery
- Programme provided insurance to productions delayed or
interrupted due to Covid
Global TV hits nominated for BAFTAs and Oscar Academy Awards
survived and thrived through the pandemic thanks to the
Government’s film and TV support package, which also boosted the
country’s economy by £2.25 billion.
Oscar-nominated film Living, Bafta nominees Brian & Charles,
Blue Jean and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, as well as major
productions including Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders and His Dark
Materials, were all supported by the scheme. Smaller productions
including Help and Steph’s Packed Lunch also got help.
The findings are published today in an independent report
assessing the success of the Film and TV Production Restart
Scheme, which was launched in July 2020 and has supported more
than 1,200 productions.
The scheme was introduced when the country’s world-class screen
industries were struggling to get Covid-related insurance cover
from commercial insurers. It protected production companies in
the event of new restrictions or outbreaks on set among cast and
crew which could force a shutdown.
Productions using the scheme created 63,500 crew positions, plus
a further 37,100 cast roles, meaning a total of up to 100,600
production industry workers were given a lifeline by the scheme
during an extremely challenging economic period. The report also
shows the scheme created 48,500 full-time jobs both directly in
the sector and indirectly through supply chains.
The report, carried out by Nordicity & Saffery Champness LLP,
found total benefits generated by the scheme were 115 times
greater than the cost of delivery. The scheme contributed £2.25
billion to the economy thanks to the jobs created and positive
impact on the sectors’ supply chains and wider economy, with
costs to the Government expected to be just £19.6 million. This
is lower than anticipated thanks to effective work by film and TV
companies to manage the risks of Covid during production.
A survey of producers showed that, on average, 73 per cent of
registered productions would not have been able to spend the
amount of money they did if the scheme did not exist, meaning it
helped to ensure the continued growth of the sectors.
Culture Secretary said:
” Our screen industries are an economic powerhouse and we should
be proud that the UK is firmly established as one of the best
places in the world to create blockbuster content.
” When the pandemic threatened that success we stepped in to
protect jobs, keep cameras rolling and ensure our producers could
keep making the exceptional content that the UK is famous for.
” The Film and TV Restart Scheme protected productions that
supported jobs, contributed to our economy and entertained
audiences across the world.”
John McVay, chief executive of the screen industry trade
body Pact, said:
“The swift actions of the UK Government to set up the PRS at a
time of unprecedented crisis in the UK’s Film and TV industry
showed that by working closely with a major UK industry public
funds could be effectively used to support one of the UK’s key
economic and cultural industries. The PRS saved many small
British production businesses from failing while also helping
support significant employment. But more importantly ensured that
the UK public could continue to enjoy great British programmes
and films.”
Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive said:
“Setting up the Film and Television Production Restart Scheme
showed overnment and industry working together at their best and
at speed, enabling cameras to roll and businesses, cast and crew
to get back to work. Making this happen at a crucial time after
production had ground to a halt will always be appreciated by the
sector. It has played a major part in the industry’s recovery out
of the pandemic in doing to enabled the industry to get more than
a thousand productions made, contributed billions in production
spend and revenues to economy and maintained global confidence in
our world-leading production industry.”
Thanks to the scheme, productions could continue creating new
content for audiences around the world while curbs remained on
their social lives. It also enabled our world-class film and TV
industries to continue to drive economic growth and create new
jobs.
The scheme supported a large number of productions outside of
London, with a total of 58 per cent of film and TV productions
registered by the scheme based outside the capital.
Now that restrictions have ended, the film and TV sectors have
been able to reach new heights thanks to the strong government
backing they received during the pandemic. Last year saw a record
£6.27 billion of production spend in the UK and the sectors are
continuing to grow the economy and create jobs across the entire
country.
ENDS
A small number of claims remain open and are being processed by
the administrator, Marsh Commercial. Final figures will be
published once these are settled this year.
