U.K. Winds Down Production Restart Scheme

The U.K. government has confirmed that its Film & TV Production Restart Scheme, initiated to help local companies manage the risks of producing amid the pandemic, is coming to a close.

The £500 million ($655 million) scheme helped support the production of such shows as Peaky Blinders, Killing Eve and Gangs of London. Announcing the planned closure of the scheme, the U.K. government said that brokers and insurers will now work with the film and TV industry directly to manage risk so productions can proceed.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries noted: “The Film & TV Production Restart Scheme has played a vital role helping our world-beating screen industries continue to thrive despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. As we learn to live with Covid, it is great to see the industry working with production companies to make sure they have the cover they need to create high-quality content for viewers at home and abroad.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak added, “Our world-leading film and TV industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, and our Restart scheme played a vital part in keeping it going throughout the pandemic. The success of our scheme means that commercial insurers can now work with the industry to provide cover, so the U.K. can keep producing the films and TV programm we all love.

A joint statement from Lloyd’s Market Association, British Insurance Brokers’ Association and London & International Insurance Brokers’ Association stated: “The insurance industry recognizes the success of the Restart Scheme in providing cover to this important sector at a time when the market could not. Brokers, underwriters and their clients are in active discussion with the government as to how the commercial market could resume providing cover for this challenging risk. Our aim, as always, will be to provide insurance solutions to our clients wherever possible.”

The scheme supported 1,172 productions across 1,588 locations. Applications are still open till the end of the month to provide cover until the end of June. The scheme has paid out £12 million ($15.7 million) in claims to date. By the scheme’s closure it will have covered losses totaling £53 million ($69.4 million).