The move is expected to stop UK dramas going abroad in search of cheaper production venues. Shows such as Birdsong, Strike Back and the Julian Fellowes drama Titanic were all made abroad but might have stayed under the new regime.

New research carried out by a lobby group called the TV Coalition, which is advised by Wiggin LLP and RSM Tenon, estimates that a tax credit in the UK, similar to that received by the film industry, would generate £350m per year as a result of high-budget production relocating to the UK, creating thousands of jobs and keeping British skills competitive.

Commenting, Stephen Bristow, Associate Director, RSM Tenon said: 
”This is a huge opportunity for the UK to pick up revenues being spent in other parts of the world. A number of UK production companies and inward investors have already made clear they would look to film in the UK should a tax credit be introduced so it could have a transformative effect and make the UK the world’;s most attractive destination for high-end TV production.”



Andy Harries, Chief Executive, Left Bank Pictures is a likely beneficiary. He said: “The proposed changes in the UK tax laws regarding television would give the British TV industry a much needed shot in the arm.  British production talent is responsible for some of the best television in the world and at the moment many productions, which could very easily be shot in the UK, are being made abroad and many talented creatives are moving elsewhere.  Left Bank Pictures are currently shooting two productions in South Africa – Mad Dogs and Strike Back – where tax breaks make it possible to make hugely ambitious dramas on a British TV budget and we have many other large scale projects in development that we would love to be able to make in the UK.”

Stephen Garrett, Chairman, Kudos Film and TV added: 
”This is fantastic news.  There is a huge demand for good quality television dramas around the world.  In the UK, we have a brilliant track record of coming up with the ideas and talent to produce them and now we have the critical piece of the jigsaw to ensure they are made over here.  The return on this relatively small investment from the Government will benefit the UK’;s economy, generating jobs and growth, boosting tourism and giving the UK taxpayer great value for money.”



Stewart Till CBE, co-CEO of US based RHI Entertainment said:
”Today’;s news is a game changer.  It will have a fundamental effect on where we base our multi-million dollar productions.  Until now, Europe and Canada have been our destinations of choice as it has been too expensive for us to shoot in the UK despite the first class facilities, crew and talent. The Budget changed that.”



The TV Coalition which has been campaigning for a high budget TV tax incentive includes production companies Left Bank, Mammoth, Kudos, Carnival, Ecosse, and Red Arrow; trade bodies PACT, UK Screen, The Production Guild and Directors UK; trade union Bectu; inward investors HBO, Starz, Showtime, ABC/Disney, RHI Entertainment; as well as national bodies Creative England, Creative Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen, BBC Worldwide and Andy Weltman from The British Film Commission. Also welcoming the news was Sarah Mackey, Acting Chief Executive at UK Screen, who said: “The Chancellor’;s inclusion of tax relief for high-end television production illustrates this Government’;s commitment to the creative industries, its understanding of the international competition we face and its recognition of television drama as a source of significant economic growth. There is much work to do over the coming year but we have an excellent model to follow in the Film Tax Credit and there is a huge amount of enthusiasm to replicate the success of that incentive”.