Success of the Restart Scheme: Thousands of jobs saved

In October 2020, the UK Government launched the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to protect productions that were put on hold because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The £50 million scheme protects productions against delays, such as those resulting from cast and crew illness due to the virus and funding is available to productions where half of their production budget is being spent in the UK. Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has said: -

“The scheme fills the insurance gap and gives productions the confidence to keep shooting, delivering the much loved classics and ground-breaking new art that the UK is known for around the world”.

With the months that have passed, the success of the scheme is now coming to light and it is believed the scheme has protected around 19,460 jobs in film and TV since October 2020 – a raving success for sure. Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary, has been quoted saying: -

“We’re helping to create more than just great films and unmissable programmes with the Film and TV Production Scheme – we are saving and creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country”.

We haven’t heard the last of the scheme just yet, it is currently believed that productions can register for the scheme until April 2021. With restrictions expected to be lifted later this year all together, we are hopeful that we will soon see a sharp return to normality after what has been an unprecedented year.