Manifesto
Overview
The UK independent film and TV production sector is a British success story, creating globally renowned content and generating revenues of just under £4bn in 2022.
The sector also plays an important role in the wider creative industries as a provider of jobs and economic growth. Its success not only impacts the immediate production community but has a ripple effect downstream to a multitude of local businesses and individuals, including post-production houses, visual effects companies, freelance talent and crew, hotels, locations and transport services.
We’re at a critical time for our industry as the impact of new technology is felt more and more, with an increasing need for companies to pivot their businesses towards capturing commissions that are being impacted by rapid changes in audience consumption. With a new Government and the implementation of the Media Act, as well as a tough economic climate to navigate, it is essential that we continue to work closely with policy makers to ensure that British independent TV, film and digital content producers retain their position as world leaders in the provision of high-quality original output.
The value of and demand for UK content, not only in the UK itself but around the world, means we continue to provide jobs and opportunities for British people. Without a thriving UK independent production sector, we simply wouldn’t produce the diverse range of stories enjoyed by audiences of all ages on screens of all sizes, which not only educate and entertain but help us to understand who we are in an ever-changing and increasingly complex world.
Our KeyProposals
Develop a Diverse Talent Pool
- The Apprenticeship Levy to be reformed to ensure that the money that is being collected is appropriately targeted and takes into account the project-based nature of the UK production sector.
- The Government to continue working with industry to develop the best solutions for skills development in the UK production sector.
A Mixed Production Ecology to Maximise Growth
- A strong Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) system that continues to incentivise a competitive marketplace which ensures only the best content is made available to audiences is vital.
- A properly funded BBC with thorough scrutiny applied to how the BBC spends this funding and how its commercial activities will continue to act fairly without distorting or damaging the wider market.
- Increased Channel 4 commitments for nations and regions programming to be written into their licence, signalling to the market a confidence in the supply in programme making.
Global Growth in International Markets
- The Government should continue to pursue co-production treaties with other territories, as these treaties are easy to utilise and help independent producers secure commissions globally.
- Commit to long-term support for the film and TV sector to create more value in international markets through well-planned and executed trade missions to key territories and events.
- Urgent consideration and consultation on a new successor programme to the Trade Access Programme (TAP) so that it can deliver opportunities to SMEs in overseas markets.
- Maximum access to international markets to secure new opportunities.
Future Innovation and IP Success
- The legal framework for AI-related copyright infringement needs to be clear and unambiguously in line with the UK’s copyright regime.
- The Government must include transparency provisions encouraging AI providers to keep records of the creative works used and the respective licences.
Globally Competitive Tax Incentives that Support British Talent
- Maintain the successful creative sector tax reliefs, and ensure they remain globally competitive.
- Reform the Research and Development Tax Relief to ensure it is fit for use by those in the creative industries.
Targeted Public Funding to Grow Audiovisual Economies Out of London
- Better coordination of funding between central Government, creative agencies and Local Authorities by involving trade bodies at an early stage of developing a funding stream.
- Government to consult trade bodies like Pact to help better devise Government interventions.
- Channel 4 commitments for nations and regions programming to be written into their licence to further grow and develop production outside of London.