Is the BBC Failing Regional Freelancers? A Look at “The Traitors” and the Concerns Over Hiring Practices
The BBC, a cornerstone of British broadcasting, is facing accusations of neglecting local talent pools in favour of London-centric hiring practices.
This follows a series of viral LinkedIn posts by Peter Strachan, a Scottish filmmaker who analysed the production credits of BBC’s “The Traitors,” the smash hit presented by Claudia Winkleman. His findings paint a stark picture: an overwhelming majority of the show’s crew, despite filming in Scotland, were based in London.
Strachan’s analysis claims that only 6.05% of the production team for “The Traitors” was based in Scotland, with a staggering 81.40% residing in London. This raises questions about whether the BBC is adhering to Ofcom’s regional production criteria, designed to ensure that productions stimulate local economies and provide opportunities for talent across the UK.
Strachan in a reply to one of his many commentators on his post, said:
The talent is here in Scotland, we’re simply passed over as a matter of routine. It’s hard not to see it as another form of cultural bias. Worse still, Studio Lambert has made zero effort to introduce a pipeline scheme for Scottish production talent that would allow people to get invaluable experience of big shows like this. Outlander did it! Meanwhile, Scotland has become a shooting estate of a different kind. It’s the central research question of the PhD I’m hoping to begin later this year.
Impact of London-centric hiring on freelancers
This trend has significant implications for freelancers and local economies across the UK, particularly in regions outside of London.
Lost opportunities: Regional freelancers, especially those in skilled roles like camera operators, editors, and sound engineers, are losing out on valuable work opportunities. This not only impacts their income but also hinders their career development and growth.
Economic disparity: When productions primarily hire from London, the economic benefits of filming, such as accommodation, catering, and other local spending, are also concentrated in the capital. This further exacerbates the economic imbalance between London and other regions.
Brain drain: A lack of local opportunities can force skilled professionals to relocate to London, leading to a “brain drain” from the regions and further diminishing the creative talent pool outside the capital.
Weakening regional production hubs: Regional production hubs, like those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, have been cultivated with significant investment. The BBC’s alleged hiring practices undermine these efforts and threaten the sustainability of these hubs.
In response to Peter Strachan’s post, one commenter stated:
Peter your findings are truly disturbing and underline those produced in a 2024 report from Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates Ltd (O&O), commissioned by Screen Scotland. It revealed that much of the BBC’s “Scottish” network quota is, in fact, produced by London-based companies. So much of the supposed output of the ‘public broadcaster’ for Scotland is, in practice, hugely outsourced to England. How can that best serve matters of Scottish identity, politics, economics, or the cultural ‘ecosystem’? This outsourcing also denies the media and creative fields in Scotland much of their ability to better develop their own sustainable and prosperous bases.
The bigger picture
Strachan’s investigation into “The Traitors” is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Similar concerns have been raised about other BBC productions filmed in the regions, such as Manchester and Birmingham. London crews are driving often daily or weekly to regional locations rather than hire talent already in place. This suggests a systemic issue within the broadcaster’s commissioning and hiring practices.
The need for change
In Strachan’s estimations, the BBC has a responsibility to support the creative industries across the UK, not just in London. To address this issue, the broadcaster could carry out the following:
Enforce Ofcom regulations: Adhere to Ofcom’s regional production criteria, with transparent reporting on hiring practices for all productions.
Invest in regional talent: Prioritise hiring freelancers from the regions where filming takes place, providing training and development opportunities to nurture local talent.
Decentralise production: Encourage production companies to establish genuine bases in the regions, fostering long-term growth and sustainability in local creative industries.
By taking these steps, the BBC can ensure that its productions benefit the entire UK, which in part could mean even better content and lower overheads. The future of regional freelance talent and the health of local economies depend on it.
