Report calls for government action to support the British film and high-end TV industry

A new report by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee is calling for urgent action to ramp up support for the UK’s film and high-end television industry. A comprehensive package of recommendations include introducing tax breaks for high-end television, a levy to be paid by streamers into a cultural fund to help finance British drama, measures to support film distribution and cinemas, and a drive to bolster the workforce.

The report acknowledges the government’s goal to establish the UK as a premier destination for film and high-end television production, but emphasises the need for ongoing evaluation of tax incentives to attract overseas investment. It suggests measures to revitalise domestic production of culturally significant British film and television programmes.

The committee highlights the disparity between the flourishing big-budget productions, often financed and controlled from abroad, and the declining output of domestically produced content.

“This is the first report in over 20 years focusing on our sector,” says Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, “and is timely in looking at how we can best support and drive continued cultural and economic prosperity for the UK’s world-class film and high-end television sector.

“Many of the recommendations align directly with work that the BFI is delivering across a number of fronts including supporting access to finance for production, distribution and exhibition – including dedicated support for independent cinemas and UK distributors; international business development; growing the workforce and Good Work guidance; a soon to be published report on where the sector is working with generative AI.

“We are happy to see the report note the success of the UK Global Screen Fund and the importance of our screen heritage and the role of the BFI National Archive. We await the response from government and are ready to offer support where we are able to on ensuing priorities.”