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The UK’s creative industries will benefit from tax reliefs that are among the most generous in the world, under Government plans announced today.

At Budget 2012, the Government announced that it would introduce tax reliefs, targeted at animation, high-end TV and video games as part of its ambition to make the UK the technology centre of Europe. The reliefs will help support technological innovation and ensure that creative industries continue to contribute to economic growth and British culture.

The UK is a world leader at production in these sectors and the Government is keen to provide the necessary support to maintain this status. Without Government support, there is a risk that underinvestment will lead to valuable productions moving overseas or not happening at all.

These reliefs will build on the success of the existing Film Tax Relief, which has led to £1 billion in extra investment in British cinema, supporting thousands of jobs and supporting skills invaluable to the broader economy.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said:

“I want the UK to remain a world leader in the creative industries, that’s why I am announcing tax reliefs that will be among the most generous available anywhere. High-end TV, animation and video games production are exactly the kind of innovative, high-tech industries at which this country excels, and the Government is determined to support them as part of our efforts to grow this economy.”

The consultation published today invites views from individuals, companies, and representative and professional bodies on the proposed design options. The Government is particularly keen to hear from production companies and those working directly in the production of video games, animation and high-end television.

The consultation closes on 10 September 2012. The Government will take all responses into account before finalising the policy design for the reliefs and publishing draft legislation for consultation in the autumn.

Notes for Editors

1. The consultation on corporation tax reliefs for the creative industries can be found at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consult_creative_sector_tax_reliefs.htm
2. The Government announced in Budget 2012 that, following consultation on the design, it will introduce corporation tax reliefs for the video games, animation and high-end television industries from April 2013, subject to State aid approval.
3. The Government is proposing that these reliefs build on the successful film tax relief model, which promotes the sustainable production of culturally British films and in 2009/10 provided around £95 million of support to the British film industry, supporting over £1 billion of investment in 208 films.
4. Following discussions with industry focused working groups and the European Commission over the summer, a separate consultation on the design of suitable cultural tests for each of these reliefs will be launched in the autumn. These tests will identify culturally British works that are to be considered eligible for the new tax reliefs in line with the European Commission’s rules on State aid.
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