Directors UK recommendations reflected in CMS’s British film and high-end television report

The cross-party House of Commons Culture Media and Sport (CMS) Committee has released its report on High-end Television (HETV). 

The report, which is available to read in full here, cites evidence from Directors UK and Directors UK Vice-Chair James Hawes on issues affecting directors and creators across our industry. 

Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower said, “Today’s report on British film and High-end Television highlights the challenges facing the industry and the urgent need for action. In a global market, a strong UK production sector is crucial, but our public service broadcasters and independent filmmakers are under increasing pressure. Directors UK has long called for support, including better production funding, investment in skills, and improved freelancer rights. We're encouraged to see our recommendations reflected in the report — it’s now imperative that they are implemented by the government.” 

Directors UK Board member James Hawes gave evidence at a CMS committee hearing in February 2024, speaking out on the importance of protecting copyright as a means of financial support for freelancers, safeguarding creators’ work amidst developments with AI, and the changing nature of training pathways into the industry and the need to protect them to ensure talent is retained. You can watch back James’ appearance at the CMS Committee below.

The evidence James gave has been cited in the CMS report, which acknowledges both the need “for better protection of IP so that it generates a stable income to help freelance creatives to bridge the gap between paid jobs” as well as the threat currently posed to key career pathways such as continuing dramas. 

Directors UK’s written evidence is also cited on the need to tell stories for, and about, audiences across the country: “[It’s] important from a social and cultural perspective to have UK-originated films which tell stories that reflect the lives, experience and culture of audiences from across the UK”.  

We have been vocal in calling for urgent support for British TV and film, and we’ve highlighted the need to improve production funding across the UK, invest in skills, and improve freelancers’ rights and stability, through the appointment of a dedicated Freelancer Commissioner. Many of our recommendations to the inquiry are reflected in the report’s conclusions, and we’ll continue to push for these to be followed through.  

Read the report here: Culture, Media and Sport Committee — British film and high-end television