Protecting UK production

The UK is recognised globally as a creative powerhouse, but without support this strength risks being eroded.

Public service broadcasting - with its commitment to commission a wide range of high-quality UK-originated content - remains vital and must be preserved. Competition from global streamers, rising costs and shifting audience behaviour is putting UK production under extreme pressure. These economic and market challenges are creating instability, hitting freelancers the hardest, and threatens the long-term sustainability of the UK production base.

Our aims

  • Protect UK Public Service Broadcasters - The government must maintain the strength of our PSBs by ensuring they are well funded, with clear public service obligations that support investment in UK content, independent production and create sustainable production hubs in the nations and regions.
  • A strong and stable BBC – a sustainably funded, fully independent BBC that upholds workplace standards for freelancers, creates a broad mix of programming made across the UK, and has diversity and inclusion embedded in commissioning.
  • Improve funding – Address the challenges in funding domestic film and TV, exploring incentives that support investment in the development and production of new projects.
  • Creative Europe – Rejoin European funding programmes such as Creative Europe.
  • Tax Reliefs – Maintain and enhance our competitive advantage from AudioVisual Tax Reliefs in the face of increasing global competition for inward investment.

What we’re doing to help

  • Engaging in the BBC Charter renewal process, responding to consultations and meeting with DCMS officials and BBC representatives to share directors’ views.
  • Responding to Ofcom consultations as they implement the new Media Act including on PSB quotas and regulation, and prominence for PSBs
  • Contributed insights to Ofcom’s Public Service Media (PSM) RBeview.
  • Provided in-person and written evidence to the House of Commons Culture, Media & Sport Committee inquiry on High End TV and Film.
  • Contributed to the House of Commons Culture, Media & Sport Committee inquiry on Children’s TV and video.
  • Supporting calls for UK to rejoin the Creative Europe programme.
  • Active member of the BFI Screen Sector Task Force, the British Screen Forum, Creative UK, British Copyright Council and the Creators Rights Alliance, all of which are helping to shape the future of the industry.
  • International relationships with the DGA and FERA

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To request more information on Directors UK’s policy positions or to arrange a meeting, please contact [email protected].

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