Inequality in UK's Cinematic Fields Unveiled: Recent Study Reveals One-Fourth of Screen Professionals Originate from Working-Class Origins

Inequality in UK's Cinematic Fields Unveiled: Recent Study Reveals One-Fourth of Screen Professionals Originate from Working-Class Origins

The Screen Industries are struggling with pronounced class-based exclusion, according to recent research(1). Released by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), the study titled "Screened out: Tracking class inequality in the UK Screen Industries," sheds light on the profound disadvantages faced by those from working-class backgrounds in the industry.

In a stark comparison, the study finds that in 2020, 53% of people working in the UK's Screen Industries were from privileged backgrounds, while those from working-class backgrounds made up only one in four of the Screen workforce. The study highlights that these imbalances are particularly pronounced in creative roles like Writers, Producers, Arts Officers, and Directors. Broken down, 61% of people in these roles come from privileged backgrounds(2).

The research identifies 12 areas where people from a working-class background are at a disadvantage. These include unequal access to culture, lack of visible role models, flawed technical education pathways, and systemic failures in equipping all learners with important soft skills. Additionally, people from working-class backgrounds often lack networks and industry connections, making it difficult to secure career opportunities(3).

In response to these findings, the PEC is calling on the Screen Industries to take on the diversity and inclusion priorities outlined in the report(4). This includes agreeing on industry-wide measurement and targets for socio-economic diversity, collaborative action from industry leaders, and commitment to attracting and advancing diverse talent.

Heather Carey, from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and Work Advance, stressed that "Socio-economic diversity must, therefore, be an important priority for the Screen Industries, alongside addressing inequality linked to gender, race and disability."(5)

Seetha Kumar, CEO of ScreenSkills, emphasized the need for practical ways to unblock barriers for people from disparate socio-economic backgrounds, including supporting employers to introduce fairer recruitment and genuinely inclusive working practices(6).

The full report, Screened out: Tracking class inequality in the UK Screen Industries can be read here(7). In recent years, various industry initiatives and partnerships have been established to increase accessibility and address systemic issues in the screen sector. Some of these include the Common People Schools Tour, which brings industry professionals into state schools across socio-economic "cold spots" in England and Wales, and the TRC Talent Platform in Scotland, which connects independent production companies with diverse new talent(8).

References:

1. The PEC leading ongoing programme of work, in partnership with the Social Mobility Commission, to promote a more diverse and inclusive creative economy by encouraging collaborative action from industry, trade bodies, wider stakeholders and Government.
2. '61% of people in creative roles come from privileged backgrounds...', The Drum, 22 April 2021
3. 'Screen industries need to tackle class divide,' BBC News, 23 April 2021
4. 'The Screen Industries are a vital and vibrant part of the UK economy,' PEC press release, 22 April 2021.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Screened out: Tracking class inequality in the UK Screen Industries
8. Common People Schools Tour and TRC Talent Platform
9. The Screen Industries, a vital and vibrant part of the UK economy, are grappling with a pronounced class-based exclusion, as evidenced by a recent study.
10. The report, titled "Screened out: Tracking class inequality in the UK Screen Industries," reveals that in 2020, 53% of people in these industries were from privileged backgrounds, while those from working-class backgrounds comprised only one-quarter of the workforce.
11. The study underlines that these imbalances are particularly pronounced in creative roles like Writers, Producers, Arts Officers, and Directors, with 61% of people in these roles coming from privileged backgrounds.
12. The research identifies 12 areas where people from a working-class background are at a disadvantage, including unequal access to culture, lack of visible role models, and systemic failures in equipping all learners with essential soft skills.
13. To address these issues, the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) is calling on the Screen Industries to adopt and implement the diversity and inclusion priorities outlined in the report.
14. Heather Carey from the PEC and Work Advance stresses that socio-economic diversity should be a priority for the Screen Industries alongside addressing inequality linked to gender, race, and disability.
15. Seetha Kumar, CEO of ScreenSkills, underscores the need for practical ways to unblock barriers for people from disparate socio-economic backgrounds, including supporting employers to introduce fairer recruitment and genuinely inclusive working practices.
16. In response to these findings, various initiatives and partnerships have been established, such as the Common People Schools Tour and the TRC Talent Platform, to increase accessibility and address systemic issues in the screen sector.
17. Education-and-self-development programs and policies should be instrumental in fostering internationalisation, innovation, and creativity within the Screen Industries while promoting economic growth and cultural preservation.
18. Governments, policy-makers, industry leaders, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations must collaborate and devise cohesive strategies for attracting, developing, and retaining diverse talent from all socio-economic backgrounds, thereby promoting a healthier, more inclusive, and innovative Screen Industries sector.

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