8-03-04

Barrett presses Minister for more Support for UK Film Industry

Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, John Barrett, today called on the Government to improve their support for the British film industry. This follows a recent announcement that the Government plan to change the tax relief for British films. This has resulted in the production of a number of films in the UK, including Tulip Fever and Libertine, being thrown into doubt. 

Speaking in the House of Commons today Mr Barrett asked the Minister for the Arts:

"What can be done to encourage film production in this country? Especially following the announcements on the 10 February which threw the future production of a number of films into confusion.

"Will she put pressure on the Treasury to introduce transitional arrangements to make sure that these films are produced in the UK and not abroad?"

Speaking after the exchange Mr Barrett added:

"I was disappointed by the response of the Minister for Arts who only repeated the Governments position, but said nothing about those films in the pipeline which have had their future production thrown into doubt by recent Treasury announcements.

"The Treasury should introduce transitional arrangements to allow the production of these films to go ahead in the UK, or we will not only lose jobs and revenue but the spin off our tourism industry gains when successful films are made in this country."

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• Producers of Libertine are looking into using a foreign location for the shoot and the producer of Tulip Fever is considering moving to the USA.