Culture Secretary has today laid legislation in
Parliament introducing a new tax relief for independent British
films to boost the growth of the UK's world class film sector.
She also told the Commons she would be working on a creative
skills pathway to improve career opportunities for young people
in the film industry. It comes as Pinewood Studios announced a
new hub at its Buckinghamshire site to support Britain's indie
filmmakers.
In a statement in the House of Commons, she said:
Our independent film sector has produced films like Pride, The
King's Speech and Bend it Like Beckham that shows our heritage,
our communities, and our culture to the world. It acts as a
springboard from the grassroots for world class UK talent both on
screen and behind the scenes.
But while major film production has flourished, smaller budget
independent films have not received sufficient support over the
last decade. They face multiple challenges - rising production
costs, crew shortages, and declining revenues which have hampered
the growth of this vital part of the sector.
While too much of our creative industries have traditionally been
concentrated in just one part of the country, independent film
thrives everywhere given the chance. So this uplift will not only
boost creativity but create jobs, growth and investment in every
nation and region. Through this we will help the independent film
sector to reach its full potential.
In response to the tax relief, Pinewood has today
announced a new Independent Film Hub at its world-famous
studios in Buckinghamshire. It will offer British indie
filmmakers taking advantage of the tax relief support services
and access to sound stages and workshop space.
As well as confirming the tax relief, Nandy announced that the
government will work with Skills England to improve career
opportunities for young people in the creative industries. She
said:
Too often people do not see themselves and their communities
reflected in the story we tell ourselves about ourselves as a
nation. And we are determined that this is going to change.
The skills shortage that has been ignored for too long acts as a
brake on the ambitions of this incredible sector. That is why
this Government has already launched Skills England, to bring the
skills we need for a decade of national renewal for our
communities, businesses and country.
We will focus apprenticeships once more on young people, to set
them up to succeed and help fill the 25,000 vacancies in the
creative sector.
The Secretary of State for Education is overhauling the
apprenticeship levy in order to provide better career
opportunities for young people. Building on the success of
existing high quality apprenticeships in the creative industries,
we will work closely with Skills England to ensure the new
flexibilities announced by the Prime Minister last month offer
shorter apprenticeships and improve the offer for a creative
skills pathway for young people embarking on careers in the
creative sector.
Every child should have the chance to live a richer, larger life
and consider a career in the arts.
Nandy also confirmed that yesterday the Ministry of Housing,
Communities and Local Government recovered an appeal against the
refusal of planning permission for Marlow Film Studios in
Buckinghamshire. The planning merits of the proposal will now be
reviewed by their Ministers in detail before reaching a decision.
This evening Nandy will go on to attend the opening of the 68th
London Film Festival at the BFI Southbank which is opening with
the World Premiere of Blitz, the new Second World War film from
one of Britain's most successful directors, Steve McQueen.
Today's tax relief announcement is the latest in a series of
interventions ahead of next week's International Investment
Summit to drive investment and growth, including in the creative
industries.
