British film and high-end television 2

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 31 Oct 2024 Closed: 15 Jul 2025 Parliament page
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to continue work from the last Parliament examining the challenges faced by the British film and high-end television industry and how the sector and its workforce can be better supported. Previous Committee inquiry: British film & high-end tv The new inquiry will build … Read more
36 Recommendations
32 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
6 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 14 events
3 Jul
2025
Report published
10 Apr
2025
Report published
28 Jan
2025
Oral evidence
28 Jan
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
24 Jan
2025
Correspondence
24 Jan
2025
Correspondence
24 Jan
2025
Correspondence
24 Jan
2025
Correspondence
24 Jan
2025
Correspondence
7 Jan
2025
Oral evidence
7 Jan
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
11 Dec
2024
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
28 Jan 2025
View on parliament.uk
Alastair Jones · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Ben Roberts · British Film Institute (BFI) Jay Hunt OBE · British Film Institute (BFI) Sir Chris Bryant MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
7 Jan 2025
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Jane Featherstone · Sister
11 Dec 2024
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Benjamin Field · Deep Fusion Films Dr Mathilde Pavis Ed Newton-Rex · Fairly Trained Liam Budd · Equity Martin Adams · Metaphysic Nick Lynes · Flawless
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - British film and high-end television HC 328 10 Apr 2025 68 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
18 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Amend R&D tax relief definition to capture creative activity in film and HETV sectors.
The Government should immediately amend the definition of R&D for tax relief purposes so that it captures creative activity by the film and HETV sectors, and wider creative industries. (Recommendation, Paragraph 19)
Government Response
The government rejects amending the definition of R&D for tax relief purposes. Instead, it will publish revised guidance in 2025 to clarify that arts activities contributing to scientific or technological advances are within the existing definition, thus supporting interdisciplinary innovation without a definitional change.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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4 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Review Enterprise and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes' impact on film sector finance access.
The Government should immediately review the impact of changes to the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme on the film sector to ensure producers can and do access the full range of finance for their films. It should … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to immediately review the impact of EIS/SEIS changes on the film sector and report findings, stating it will continue to work with stakeholders but has no plans for a specific review.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Introduce 25% tax relief for P&A costs of films claiming Independent Film Tax Credit.
In the Autumn 2025 Budget, the Government should introduce a 25% tax relief for the Prints & Advertising (P&A) costs of films claiming the Independent Film Tax Credit, to support the distribution and exhibition of British films. (Recommendation, Paragraph 27) Read more
Government Response
The government rejects introducing a 25% tax relief for Prints & Advertising costs for films claiming the Independent Film Tax Credit, citing existing AVEC commitments, the Chancellor's discretion on tax policy, and a desire to avoid additional complexities.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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8 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
UK compensation for lost Creative Europe funding benefits remains inadequate.
The UK has not adequately compensated for the loss of Creative Europe funding, of which it was a net beneficiary, and simply increasing UKGSF will not deliver all the benefits that membership of that network did. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Government Response
The government acknowledges the value of cultural exchange with Europe and is strengthening ties, but rejects rejoining Creative Europe, instead highlighting the scaled-up UK Global Screen Fund and other engagement as its means of supporting international ambitions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Seek to rejoin Creative Europe as an associate member during 2026 UK-EU Trade Review
As part of the Review of the Implementation of UK-EU Trade and Co- operation Agreement in 2026 the Government should seek to rejoin Creative Europe as an associate member. (Recommendation, Paragraph 35) The crisis in domestic HETV
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to rejoin Creative Europe as an associate member, stating it has no plans to do so, and instead focuses on strengthening UK-EU ties and scaling up the UK Global Screen Fund.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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12 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Conduct urgent analysis on targeted HETV Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit uplift for domestic productions
We recommend the BFI urgently conducts analysis on the potential design and return on investment of a targeted uplift to HETV Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit for domestic productions with budgets of £1 million to £3 million per hour. The Government should … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for the BFI to urgently conduct analysis on a targeted HETV tax uplift and for the government to commit to its introduction, instead reiterating its commitment to existing AVEC reliefs and general tax policy considerations.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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19 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Benchmark UK film and HETV tax incentives against international competitors and review changes.
Twice a year, the Government should benchmark the value and eligibility criteria of the UK’s film and HETV tax incentives against those of other countries. Where the UK’s offer is found to be less competitive, the Government should immediately review … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for twice-yearly benchmarking of tax incentives as a disproportionate exercise, stating they already regularly engage with BFI and British Film Commission, and analysis is produced by Olsberg SPI.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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24 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Split British Film Commission and Film London CEO roles to address London-centric bias.
To address the industry’s perceptions of organisational London-centric bias, the Government should split the roles of British Film Commission CEO and Film London CEO the next time that the existing contracts are negotiated or the roles advertised. (Recommendation, Paragraph 88) Read more
Government Response
The government rejects splitting the roles of British Film Commission CEO and Film London CEO, expressing support for the current CEO's delivery and stating it will keep arrangements under review for all publicly funded bodies.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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25 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Engage with EU 'European works' discussions and report actions to protect UK status.
The Government must be fully engaged with the EU’s discussions on ‘European works’ and mitigate any potential changes to the UK’s status under it. We ask the Government to write to us every six months with its latest assessment of … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is engaging with European partners regarding 'European works' but rejects the specific request to provide six-monthly assessments to the Committee, believing it would not be appropriate or beneficial for international relations.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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32 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Introduce statutory requirement for film and HETV industry to report annual training spending.
We recommend that the Government introduces a statutory requirement for the entire film and HETV production industry to report their spending on skills and training as a percentage of their production budgets every financial year. (Recommendation, Paragraph 114) 104 Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to introduce a statutory requirement for the industry to report skills spending, arguing that such an intervention is not proportionate and would increase regulatory burden.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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43 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Require creative industries under CIISA's remit to commit to unconditional funding.
All parts of the creative industries under CIISA’s remit should commit to unconditional, long-term funding within six months. In the meantime, the Government should explore all options for funding CIISA in case the industry does not deliver a voluntary solution. … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects exploring specific options like linking AVEC eligibility or imposing a levy to fund CIISA, citing concerns about complexity, deterring investment, and burdening businesses. It reiterates its expectation for voluntary industry support.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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47 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Stronger case now exists for assessing VAT cuts across the creative industries.
It is understandable that the exhibition sector seeks a VAT reduction when it faces so many challenges around costs, box office revenue and infrastructure. However, those calls must be considered alongside the regular requests we hear for reduced rates of … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation, stating it has no plans to introduce a general VAT relief for cultural events, including cinema tickets, due to concerns about complexity, administrative costs, and potential economic displacement.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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48 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Review the impact of a permanent VAT cut on entry to cultural events.
We recommend that the Government reviews the impact of a permanent cut to VAT on entry to cultural events, including cinema tickets, to identify whether it would support the growth of the creative industries. (Recommendation, Paragraph 174)
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to review a permanent cut to VAT on cultural events, stating it has no plans to introduce such a relief due to concerns about complexity, administrative costs, and potential economic displacement.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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53 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Develop and mandate ethical AI certification for generative AI use in film and HETV
The Government’s AI Sector Champion for the creative industries, once appointed, should work with the industry to develop an AI certification scheme for the ethical use of generative AI in film and HETV. In setting out guidelines for the responsible … Read more
Government Response
The government will appoint an AI Sector Champion and is considering AI output labelling, but rejects a mandated certification scheme due to concerns about restricting innovation and complicating tax incentives.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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63 Conclusion Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
National Lottery funding for BFI requires thorough review to reflect expanded role.
The amount of National Lottery funding available to the BFI must reflect its role and remit, which has changed considerably since the allocations were last set. Determining where an increase for the BFI might come from, however, requires a thorough … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it believes it is important to maintain stability in the current allocation system and will not commit to a review at this time.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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64 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Conduct a review of National Lottery good cause allocations between distributing bodies.
We recommend the Government conducts a review of how National Lottery returns for good causes are allocated between distributing bodies by the end of the 2025-26 financial year. (Recommendation, Paragraph 223)
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it believes it is important to maintain stability in the current allocation system and will not commit to a review at this time.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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65 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Conduct research into a statutory deposit scheme for safeguarding moving image archives.
To safeguard our national collection of film and TV, and increase public access to it, the Government should introduce and resource a statutory deposit scheme for the moving image. Given the complexity and resource implications of this, the Government should … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it has no plans to introduce a statutory deposit scheme due to its complexity and the BFI National Archive's capacity issues, though it will keep the recommendation under review.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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66 Recommendation Rejected
First Report - British film and hi…
Introduce targeted copyright exemptions to increase access to archive material.
The Government should introduce targeted copyright exemptions that allow for greater access to archive material without harming copyright holders. Those include adjusting legislation concerning ‘dedicated terminals’, broadening the definition of ‘educational establishments’, amending the ‘2039’ rule, and introducing exemptions for … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it has no plans for legislative action to introduce copyright exemptions, though it will keep the recommendation under consideration.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 66 of 36 classified
Accepted 16
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 11
Deferred 11
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 18
Total 36 recs + 32 conclusions
Correspondence 6 letters
24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Mitchell Simmons, Vice-President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, EMEA, Paramount, regarding on skills spending, dated 6 December 2024
Parliament page
24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Benjamin King, Senior Director of Public Policy, UK and Ireland, Netflix, regarding on skills spending, dated 2 December 2024
Parliament page
24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Monica Ariño, Director of Public Policy, Amazon, regarding on skills spending, dated 19 December 2024
Parliament page
24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Gidon Freeman, Senior Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, NBCUniversal International, regarding on skills spending, dated 16 December 2024
Parliament page
24 Jan 2025 To committee Letter from Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, to Chris Bird, Director, Prime Video UK, Amazon, Benjamin King, Senior Director of Public Policy, UK and Ireland, Netflix, Mitchell Simmons, Vice-President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, EMEA, Paramount, and Gidon Freeman, Senior Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, NBCUniversal International regarding on skills spending, dated 19 November 2024
Parliament page
31 Oct 2024 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, regarding Independent Film Tax Credit, dated 9 October 2024
Parliament page