Kevin Brennan

The Labour Digital, Culture, Media and Sport team is considering whether a Labour Government could shape the Film and High End TV Tax Reliefs to help to foster more diversity and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera.

The Film and High End TV Tax Reliefs are and have been instrumental in the development and success of the film and production industries in the UK. Labour wants to incentivise inclusion and equal representation standards for underrepresented groups on productions which receive the tax reliefs as part of Labour’s Treasury review of the system of tax reliefs.

This comes following growing concern from across the Film and TV industries about the lack of diversity and representation.

This consultation will take written submissions from all interested parties until the 2nd August 2019.

Speaking at the launch of the consultation, Shadow Culture Minister, Kevin Brennan MP said:

“Showcasing diverse voices, both onscreen and off is vitally important if we are to secure a representative talent pipeline for our film and TV industries.

“That is why today ahead of the BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday, the Labour Shadow DCMS team is launching a consultation on updating the film and high-end TV tax relief to require inclusion and diversity as part of the qualifying criteria.

“It is encouraging that the need for change has been recognised by the industry and that the BFI’s diversity standards are already encouraging progress. Labour believes that adding inclusion and diversity criteria to the tax credit could help to ensure that progress is sustained into the future.”

You can take the survey here.