British TV crews hit by Hollywood actors and writers strikes call on the Government to provide furlough aid after walkouts across the pond left them unable to work as development on UK productions grinds to a halt
- Industry sources have suggested 10 major film productions put on hold in the UK
Nearly 30,000 people have signed a petition urging the Government to give British film and TV crews furlough cash, after Hollywood strikes left them unable to work.
They have signed a petition calling on ministers to organise an ‘income replacement’ scheme for staff unable to work because of industrial action by more than 160,000 actors and writers in the US.
A strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has put Britain’s booming film industry on hold and thousands of people out of work.
Screenwriters in the Writers Guild of America are heading into the 19th week of their dispute, calling for better pay, staffing requirements and protection from artificial intelligence interfering with their jobs.
Industry sources have suggested that 10 major film productions have been put on hold in the UK, with a further seven TV series paused – a major blow in an industry where many staff are freelancers.
Members of the Writer’s Guild of America, East labor union joined the picket line outside the offices of Peacock NewFont streaming services in New York on May 2, 2023
The Netflix show Sandman is understood to be one of the affected UK shows, while stars Brian Cox, Simon Pegg, Emily Blunt and Succession writer Jesse Armstrong are among Britons who have expressed support for the strikes.
The petition, which last night had attracted more than 29,000 signatures on the government’s website, needs to gather 100,000 signatories to be considered for debate in Parliament.
Philippa Childs, head of the Bectu union that represents film crew, said: ‘Now more than ever, as the workforce faces a fresh crisis, we need to see swift and tangible support from the Government.
‘The Government is loud and proud about how much the creative industries bring to the UK. If it wants to stand by these warm words, it must now put its money where its mouth is and look after those who work in the sector.’
Philippa Childs, head of the Bectu union, said: ‘We need to see swift support from the Government’ (File Photo)
Last week Warner Bros Discovery warned the strikes could dent profits by nearly £400 million. This is despite the huge success of Barbie, which is already the biggest global-earning Warner Bros film ever.
The Government told the Mail on Sunday that it is ‘engaging’ with the industry but has not committed to giving financial support for any lost earnings.
‘We continue our support for the screen industries through competitive tax reliefs, investing in studio infrastructure, supporting innovation, and promoting independent content,’ a spokesman for the Culture, Media and Sport department said.
Source: Read Full Article
