Examining Class Disparity: Addressing Social Inequality in Britain's Film and Television Sectors
In a recent report commissioned by Creative UK and supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), the Producers' Executive Council (PEC) with assistance from ScreenSkills, has highlighted ongoing issues of socio-economic diversity in the UK's Screen Industries.
The report underscores significant funding barriers that disproportionately affect emerging screen businesses, particularly those led by underrepresented groups such as female founders. It emphasises the importance of targeted support programs like the Creative Enterprise Business Development Training Programme, which aims to even the playing field by enabling diverse screen-based businesses to innovate, grow, and create employment opportunities across film, TV, games, animation, immersive, and CreaTech sectors.
The research reveals persistent issues around socio-economic diversity, including access to finance and growth opportunities, that hinder equitable participation in the UK's screen industries. The BFI, as a National Lottery distributor and lead cultural body, continues to support initiatives targeting these challenges, reinforcing the need for a coordinated ecosystem involving training, funding, and policy development to foster inclusion and socio-economic diversity across the industry.
Additional efforts are being made through advisory groups focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), such as Creative UK's EDI Advisory Group, which works to develop internal and external policies and practices ensuring greater inclusivity across the sector. Events like ID Screening Days 2025 further promote diversity and inclusion by encouraging venues and exhibitors to expand their workforce and audience engagement to be more representative of society at large.
However, the report does not provide specific information about the challenges faced by the Screen Industries in terms of diversity. In 2020, over half of people working in the UK's Screen Industries were from privileged backgrounds (53%), compared to 38% of people working in any role. This imbalance is particularly pronounced in creative roles, including Writers, Producers, Arts Officers, and Directors.
The UK's departure from the EU has also impacted the way British firms trade and work with European counterparts. The report focuses on the migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK. Long-term commitment will be required to effect real change in the Screen sector.
The Screen Industries, it should be noted, are a key area of competitive advantage for the UK in a post-Brexit era, contributing over £20bn in GVA and employing over 200,000 people in the UK. The report calls for an industry-wide approach to measurement and targets for socio-economic diversity, as well as the need to attract and advance diverse talent.
This research was authored by Heather Carey, Director of Work Advance, Dr Olivia Gable, Policy Analyst at the Work Foundation, and Professor Dave O'Brien, Professor of Cultural and Creative Industries at The University of Manchester. The Screen Industries, it seems, have a long road ahead in ensuring equitable representation and participation for all.
[1] Producers' Executive Council (PEC), ScreenSkills, and British Film Institute (BFI). (2025). [Report Title]. Retrieved from [URL] [2] Creative UK. (2020). [Report Title]. Retrieved from [URL] [3] Creative UK. (2021). [Report Title]. Retrieved from [URL] [4] ID Screening Days. (2025). [Event Title]. Retrieved from [URL]
- The Producers' Executive Council (PEC), ScreenSkills, and British Film Institute (BFI) have highlighted ongoing issues of socio-economic diversity in the UK's Screen Industries, particularly affecting female founders in emerging screen businesses.
- The Creative Enterprise Business Development Training Programme aims to even the playing field by providing targeted support for diverse screen-based businesses, enabling innovation, growth, and job creation.
- The research indicates persistent issues around socio-economic diversity in the Screen Industries, including access to finance, growth opportunities, and skills development.
- Funding barriers, workforce and audience representation, and equitable participation are key areas of concern addressed in the report, with a focus on promoting inclusion and diversity across the sector.
- Training initiatives like the Creative UK's EDI Advisory Group work to develop practices that ensure greater inclusivity in the sector internally and externally.
- Events such as ID Screening Days 2025 further promote diversity by encouraging increased representation of society in workforce and audience engagement.
- The research underscores the significance of an industry-wide approach to measurement and targets for socio-economic diversity, as well as the need to attract and advance diverse talent in the Screen Industries.
- The Screen Industries, which contribute over £20bn GVA and employ over 200,000 people in the UK, are key areas of competitive advantage for the UK in a post-Brexit era, and require long-term commitment to effect real change in terms of diversity and representation.
