UK producers lobby for kids live-action tax break

The UK independent producers association Pact will start a lobbying effort aimed at securing a tax break for live-action kids programming later today.

Pact boss John McVay will make the case for the new tax break at the Childrren’s Media Conference, which is taking place in Sheffield this week. He will tell CMC delegates that the introduction of the tax break would bring the UK Exchequer a direct financial benefit of £2.9 milllion.

An animation tax break for UK-produced content was introduced in 2012 after a successful campaign led by industry group Animation UK and its founder Oli Hyatt. Following its introduction, the UK animation sector has doubled in size country-wide and trebled in London.

Pact-commissioned research says that tax relief on live-action kids shows out of the UK would boost production and lead to the creation of new international hits shows.

“Beyond the direct benefits to the Exchequer, the tax credit also has the potential to stimulate a more competitive domestic TV industry, driving further growth in exports, secondary and ancillary revenues and encouraging inward investment from international broadcasters,” McVay said. “Extending the tax credits to children’s TV will not only boost growth but help the UK regain its reputation as the world leader in children’s programming.”