Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Film and Television Industry

Thursday 11 January 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has implemented reforms to audiovisual tax reliefs and invested 28 million in the UK global screen fund to support the film and television industry.
  • The UK film industry has more studio space for feature film production in the home counties than in Hollywood.
  • The film "Barbie" was produced in the UK, supporting 750 jobs, contributing 80 million to the UK economy, and earning over 1.1 billion globally.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP is concerned about supporting the growth of the UK's film and television industry, which has seen significant growth.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support the growth of the film and television industry?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

We have seen significant growth in the film and TV industries. The support that we have taken includes reforms to audiovisual tax reliefs, uplifts for animation and children's TV, and £28 million of investment in the UK global screen fund.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the vulnerability of the UK's film industry due to American strikes, causing temporary job losses.

Question

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for her answer. She will know that there is now more studio space for feature film production in the home counties than there is in Hollywood. However, there is a vulnerability. We found that out at the time of the American writers and actors' strikes, when a number of my friends, and many other people who are not my friends, were made redundant temporarily because film production halted. How can we make the British film industry more independent of the American production machine?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Our film industry is world leading. The strikes caused disruption, but we work closely with partners in other jurisdictions. For example, 'Barbie' was filmed in the UK, supported 750 jobs, added £80 million to our economy and earned over £1.1 billion at the global box office. We are continuing to support the industry with tax incentives, funding pots and developing a skills pipeline.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific measures to make the British film industry independent of American production were not detailed.

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