A petition to extend tax reliefs to all unscripted TV production is gathering pace with 170 TV execs now having signed.
The petition is organised by Nest Productions MD Derek Drennan, who said “The TV industry needs a huge change to get things moving faster. Now that Lisa Nandy is our Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Can she help us? Currently there is tax relief against high end TV (HETV) Childrens TV (CTTR) and Animation (ATR) – which covers huge funding deficits enabling more productions to be made. How about we petition for the WHOLE of Unscripted TV to be part of the UK tax credit credit bill?
“With an industry in tatters, now is the time to give EVERYONE a fair chance to get on, and get jobs surely?”
The petition states that
It’s no secret that the film and TV industry plays a significant role in national economy and culture.
However, many areas in the UK’s unscripted TV market are currently left out from the benefits that come with the UK Tax Credit.
The current UK tax credits in High-End TV, Animation and Kids TV has proven its efficiency in promoting both local and foreign investments into the industry – helping to fund many productions and provide jobs.
For every Pound invested through the current UK Tax Credit, up to seven Pounds are generated in GDP (Source: British Film Institute).
Yet, reality, factual, entertainment and live are currently unable to take advantage of this due to current accessibility restrictions.
There are many thousands of people currently out of work in unscripted because of lack of funding!
With a broader application of the UK Tax Credit, these untapped regions could potentially contribute significantly towards the diversity and economic viability of UK’s TV industry and therefore enable people to work again.
With a new government at play and Lisa Nandy in her seat at the Culture Secretary for Media and Sport, it’s time we finally extended the reach of the UK Tax Credit to all areas of TV!
Join this cause and let your voice be heard. Sign the petition today.
Jon Creamer
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