The UK’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called on the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use next month’s budget to bring forward tax relief to support the distribution and exhibition of independent British films.
In a letter to Reeves, the committee called for the introduction of a 25% tax relief for the prints and advertising costs of films, claiming the Independent Film Tax Credit (IFTC), as recommended in the April 2025 report on British film and high-end TV.
The committee warned that while there are early signs that the IFTC is making a difference to the industry, there are still challenges when it comes to distribution and exhibition.
The letter added that the additional tax relief has the power to generate a cycle of investment into independent British film.
The Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: “The introduction of the IFTC in the last budget has provided a welcome boost to our film industry, but without proper marketing, many great British films end up missing out on the audiences they deserve.
"With the government’s industrial strategy recognising film and TV as a frontier industry, the Chancellor now has the chance to follow through on the government’s commitment, support the independent film sector and demonstrate that she recognises the potential it has to drive growth and create jobs.”
The IFTC offers 40% tax relief to independent British films. Introduced by the previous conservative government, it has sparked a significant growth in lower- and medium-budget film production.
The UK Government’s Autumn Budget 2025 will be delivered on 26 November 2025.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has unveiled a £60m support package for the UK creative industries, including start-up video game studios, British music and film exports and creative businesses outside of London. Discover more here.
Macquarie to sell Arqiva stake for £16.5m
Macquarie Asset Management has agreed to the sale of its 26.5% stake in broadcast infrastructure firm Arqiva for £16.5m.
Banijay UK beefs up in-house post operations
Banijay UK will increase its in-house post-production capabilities by launching new facilities in London, doubling capacity in Glasgow, and investing in Manchester.
Spain’s LaLiga agrees €5.25bn football rights with Telefónica and DAZN
Spanish football league LaLiga has agreed a new set of domestic media contracts for more than €5.25bn, with Telefónica and DAZN retaining rights from 2027 to 2032.
BBC remains popular but “must take a firmer grip” in crises, says Ofcom
Despite funding pressures and a rapidly changing media landscape, the BBC remains popular with audiences, with 83% of UK adults using its services weekly, according to media regulator Ofcom.
TikTok and YouTube trigger influencer boom among older audiences
Older internet users are fuelling the growth of influencer videos, according to new research from Ampere Analysis, which shows that half of 55- to 64-year-olds now watch influencer content every week.
