Written by new-contact on Mar 16, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

UK Government expected to announce TV filming incentives in next week's Budget

A TV filming incentive of 25% for the UK is expected to be announced in the Government’s annual Budget next week. Several high-profile producers and filmmakers have been lobbying for incentive support to attract high-end TV productions like The Tudors - filmed in Ireland - to the UK.

While feature film productions shooting in the UK can access tax credits support, at the moment there aren’t any programmes for TV production. Places like Eastern Europe, Ireland and South Africa are often chosen to lower the cost of filming.

British television is second to none but unfortunately, time and time again, great British programmes are being made overseas where the tax climate is more favourable.

Julian Fellowes, Screenwriter

Julian Fellowes is an Oscar-winning screenwriter who created TV show Downton Abbey and wrote an upcoming Titanic miniseries that was filmed in Hungary: “British television is second to none but unfortunately, time and time again, great British programmes are being made overseas where the tax climate is more favourable.

“If the Budget can address this, it would be a fantastic move forward for our industry and the country as a whole, as a host of new productions would undoubtedly be produced here, as they certainly should be.”

The UK’s filming tax relief incentive programme for features was extended at the end of 2011, which includes a 20% rebate available for productions spending more than GBP20 million. Britain is a hugely popular feature filming location and the industry is keen to replicate its appeal for TV as well.