House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Film Production

Thursday 22 May 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

Lewis Cocking questioned the Government's support for the film industry, citing the Sunset Studios project cancellation in Broxbourne.
The Minister dismissed Lewis Cocking's concerns, referring to recent political events and the hon. Member's recent entry into the House.
Alistair Strathern highlighted the importance of providing young people in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire access to the film and TV sectors.
The Minister expressed support for expanding opportunities for young people across constituencies to work in the film industry.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Lewis Cocking Con Broxbourne

Economy Business & Trade

Context

Sunset Studios, a Â£700 million project in Broxbourne that was to support film production, has been suspended. The cancellation is attributed to various factors including national insurance increases and new employment regulations.

Question

In Broxbourne, we were meant to be seeing the Â£700 million Sunset Studios project, which is now sadly not going ahead, in part due to the national insurance increase, new employment regulations and this Government’s handling of the economy. Is that what the Government mean by supporting the film industry?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism (Chris Bryant)

What utter nonsense! The hon. Gentleman may only just have arrived in this House in the last year—of course, today is the anniversary of the moment when the former Prime Minister called the election and it rained on his parade. I simply point out that the company suspended its plans in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency in 2023, when there was a Conservative Government.

Not addressed: The specific reasons for Sunset Studios' cancellation were not addressed; instead, the Minister criticized the MP and referenced past events under a different government.

How: Criticizing The Questioner, Changing Subject

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Q2 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin

Culture, Media & Sport

Context

The opening of Purwell Studios at North Herts college provides young people in the constituency with access to state-of-the-art training facilities for film production.

Question

We have fantastic film and TV sectors in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and I am determined to make sure that more of our young people can access them. I recently had the pleasure of joining North Herts college to open its fantastic new Purwell Studios, meaning that young people in my constituency can access state-of-the-art training facilities in their area. How is the Minister working with the Department for Education to make sure that more young people can access the fantastic career opportunities that the film sector offers?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism (Chris Bryant)

I am glad somebody is celebrating the film industry. My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we need to make sure that kids from every single constituency in this land can think of the possibility of working in the film industry. I am delighted that since we introduced our two new tax reliefs in last autumn’s Budget, we have already seen a large number of people making applications to the British Film Institute, and I am absolutely certain that that will mean that the British film and television sectors in the UK will be very lively for many years to come.

Not addressed: The specific collaboration with the Department for Education was not addressed; instead, the Minister provided general information about tax reliefs and applications to the BFI.