Why the UK’s global production glow is masking a local industry in crisis

The UK is basking in the spotlight of big-budget Hollywood productions, from Avengers: Doomsday to The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Yet behind the scenes, much of the domestic industry is in disarray. While the soundstages are humming with activity, thousands of UK-based workers face chronic underemployment. This split-screen reality has created an unstable industry juggling extreme growth at the top and widespread stagnation below.

📊 Supporting Stats

UK film and high-end TV investment jumped 31% in 2024 to $7 billion (British Film Institute).
However, the number of total productions dropped by 30% year-on-year - fewer, bigger projects dominate the landscape.
68% of UK film and TV workers surveyed by Bectu in early 2024 reported being out of work.
Over one-third are planning to leave the industry within five years.
Prestige programming fell by 25% (BFI), driven by streamer pullback and domestic broadcaster cuts.

✅ Pros: What’s Working?

Global Demand for British Infrastructure

London’s Pinewood Studios and the UK’s state-of-the-art facilities remain irresistible for U.S. productions, drawn by generous tax incentives and experienced crew bases.

Government Incentives

A new UK tax credit for independent films under $20 million (as of April 2025) is driving cautious optimism and renewed investment in mid-tier British filmmaking.

Upskilling Momentum

Past shortages triggered rapid skills development, with ScreenSkills and BFI-backed programmes elevating thousands of crew to senior positions during the COVID-era surge.

⚠️ Cons: What’s Not Working?

Freelance Fatigue and Burnout

The freelance-heavy workforce is exposed to boom-bust cycles with limited job security. A majority of crew are now idle despite the high-profile productions.

Disappearing Mid-Budget Space

Streamer consolidation and inflated costs have squeezed out lower-budget UK productions. Even acclaimed projects like The Mirror and the Light required major pay cuts to move forward.

Overcapacity, Underemployment

While production value is up, actual job creation is not. Expensive tentpole projects hire short-term, specialised teams, leaving many traditional crew roles sidelined.

💡 Opportunities: What Brands Should Watch

Homegrown Storytelling Incentives

The independent film tax credit is a model that could be extended to prestige TV. A local-first funding ecosystem may unlock unique British narratives fit for global export.

Cultural Reinvestment from Streamers

There are rising calls for a UK streamer levy (akin to models in France and Germany) that could fund domestic storytelling — potentially reshaping local content investment.

Cross-Sector Talent Mobility

Bridging gaps between unscripted TV, high-end drama, and indie film could help redeploy sidelined talent. Brands involved in production should encourage cross-training and reskilling.

🧱 Challenges: Structural Headwinds

Local Broadcaster Decline

Budget cuts at the BBC, Channel 4 and others have hit domestic programming hard, with ripple effects on content diversity and crew employment.

Geopolitical Instability

A potential Trump administration has floated tariffs on foreign film and TV production, which could devastate international work in the UK.

Inflated Production Costs

The presence of major studios has driven up costs industry-wide, pricing out many smaller UK-led projects and exacerbating inequalities between global and local production.

📝 Key Takeouts

UK’s film and TV sector is thriving in value but shrinking in volume.
Major U.S. studio investment props up headline figures but leaves many UK workers behind.
Domestic content creation is under threat from cost pressures and lack of commissioning.
Policy levers like targeted tax credits and levies could rebalance the ecosystem.
Long-term, sustainable growth depends on rethinking workforce structure and creative funding.

🔮 Next Steps for Brand Marketers

Support Local IP: Partner with or fund British indie productions to help diversify content pipelines and associate your brand with cultural relevance.
Advocate for Structural Reform: Lobby for policies that stabilise the creative ecosystem - such as levies on streamers and reinvestment in public broadcasters.
Back Skills Mobility: Invest in cross-functional talent development within production, especially initiatives that connect brand storytelling with emerging UK creative talent.
Rethink Production Strategy: Don’t rely solely on high-gloss global projects. Explore partnerships with smaller-scale UK teams who offer fresh perspectives and creative agility.

The UK remains a powerhouse for global production. But without recalibration, the spectacle on screen may come at the cost of local sustainability - and cultural depth.