The Big Freelancer Survey IS BACK and once again aims to provide a detailed report of the past 12 months. Like the previous three Big Freelancer Surveys (conducted in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024) this data will feed into ongoing lobbying of both industry bodies and government, informing them where support is most needed and what the greatest issues facing freelancers are.

The Big Freelancer Survey is the only survey of freelancers, by freelancers, for freelancers. There are many surveys out there, but this one is UNIQUE – it’s the only one to provide a detailed picture over a whole five-year period. No one else has been doing this since 2020, each year but BFS. The data we’ve gathered since 2020, on 12,500+ freelancers, is held by Freelancers Make Theatre Work and will never be shared with anyone else. This is your survey – for you – and provides a unique chance to make your voice heard. The survey findings help to inform the work that FMTW and other organisations do to support freelancers, and to advocate and lobby on your behalf. The BFS is referred to by politicians advocating for freelancers in parliament, it’s used in meetings with DCMS and other government departments, it’s cited by arts councils, and at industry conferences. And the BFS is widely referenced in the media, making sure the issues that matter most to you get heard by the right people – all thanks to your efforts in taking part. It’s YOU we need to hear from – so please fill in this year’s survey.

If you have any visual needs and are not a screen user and/or don’t use a screen reader, please do let us know if you would like to complete the survey via a phone call. We’d be very happy to offer this to anyone who needs it – please just get in touch.

The first Big Freelancer Survey helped secure the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund in 2020.⁠
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2022's Big Freelancer Survey directly influenced policy within the industry and government for freelancers.⁠

2023's showed average earnings for freelancers in the industry are 17.5% below the UK national average salary and uncovered the huge pay-gap between the male and female workforce of 37.4%.

2024's continued to highlight the impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis and the lack of support from arts organisations, politicians, and funding bodies

Help us continue this important work and fill in this year's survey so we can paint a bigger and more dynamic picture from the last five years to help us lobby the industry and government on your behalf.

We ask performing arts freelancers to provide information about their socio-economic background and current living situation, as well as rates of pay and workplace concerns ranging from safety and security to harassment and bullying.

Evidence-based lobbying is vital for the systemic change that is needed to build a fairer future. The information from this and past surveys is used by employers, industry bodies and government to further understand the living and working conditions of freelancers, who make up over 70% of the theatre sector.

If you require the survey in a 'plain text' format, you can download it in word format or PDF format and then re-upload your answers anonymously here.

The five-year Big Freelancer Survey is a unique long-term project which is now approaching its conclusion, and it’s vital to us that as many people as possible complete this year’s, final survey. There have been well over 12,500 responses so far since 2020. We are proud of this survey, of what it is, and what is does and it can only do this thanks to the time and effort of everyone who takes part. It’s crucial, now more than ever, to keep freelancers at the heart of discussions about the future of our sector – not just in theatre, but the whole of the creative arts.

Thanks for all your support over the last few years – now let’s keep up the great work and make 2025 a grand finale! The Big Freelancer Survey 2025 goes live in March – watch this space for more details very soon. If you’ve filled in BFS before – PLEASE DO IT AGAIN. And if you haven’t done one before – NOW is your chance to have your voice heard and to inform the work we do. THANK YOU.

The Big Freelancer Survey is conducted by Freelancers Make Theatre Work in partnership with The University of Essex