Mandatory levy on UK film production?
Press Release
08 December 2003
A wide ranging consultation on the future of the Skills Investment Fund (SIF) levy on UK film production is being undertaken on behalf of the industry by Skillset with a view to making payments mandatory. The existing levy applies to all productions made in the UK and is currently voluntary unless a production is in receipt of UK public funding. From January 2004 all contributions will become part of the new Film Skills Fund proposed in 'A Bigger Future - the UK Film Skills Strategy' launched by Skillset and UK Film Council in September 2003, with implementation due to begin in April 2004. For a copy of the consultation contact film@skillset.org The closing date for submissions is 23 January 2004.
Stewart Till, CEO and Chairman of UIP and Chair of the Film Skills Strategy Committee responsible for the implementation of 'A Bigger Future', said:
"To date 65% of productions have paid into the SIF and that is simply too low a percentage. Right now we have a situation where those that do contribute are subsidising training initiatives and trainees that benefit productions that do not pay and that is untenable. A Bigger Future has substantial financial support via lottery and public funding but for maximum impact in the long term productions must match this commitment to safeguard the future of UK film making."
The consultation is being conducted with the partners of the SIF - PACT, UK Film Council, the Motion Picture Association, and the union BECTU - under the guidance of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education and Skills.
-ENDS-
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, the Broadcast, Film, Video and Interactive Media Industries. Skillset was the first Sector Skills Council to be licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations in 2002 to tackle the skills and productivity challenge. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is made up of contributions from all productions due for theatrical release which are based in the UK or are in receipt of UK public funding. Productions are asked to, and those with public funding are required to, contribute 0.5% of the total production budget up to a maximum of £39,500. The current priorities areas for investment are new entrants training in craft, technical and production grades; training for production accountants; health & safety for all grades; and qualifying the industry.
3. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by the UK Film Council and Skillset with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales.
4. The Film Skills Strategy Committee comprises: Chair Stewart Till CBE - United International Pictures/Skillset/UK Film Council; Members: Steve Abbott - Prominent Pictures; Dinah Caine, Kate O'Connor - Skillset; Eric Fellner Working Title; Susan Finlayson-Sitch - UK Film Council LA; Steve Knibb, Exhibition; Michael O'Sullivan - Paramount Pictures/The Production Guild/Motion Picture Association of America; Iain Smith - Applecross Films; John McVay - Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television; William Sargent - Framestore/CFC; Martin Spence - BECTU; and Marcia Williams, John Woodward, Robert Jones - UK Film Council.
5. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through: creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established film-makers to produce successful and distinctive British films; enterprise - supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace; imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.
08 December 2003
A wide ranging consultation on the future of the Skills Investment Fund (SIF) levy on UK film production is being undertaken on behalf of the industry by Skillset with a view to making payments mandatory. The existing levy applies to all productions made in the UK and is currently voluntary unless a production is in receipt of UK public funding. From January 2004 all contributions will become part of the new Film Skills Fund proposed in 'A Bigger Future - the UK Film Skills Strategy' launched by Skillset and UK Film Council in September 2003, with implementation due to begin in April 2004. For a copy of the consultation contact film@skillset.org The closing date for submissions is 23 January 2004.
Stewart Till, CEO and Chairman of UIP and Chair of the Film Skills Strategy Committee responsible for the implementation of 'A Bigger Future', said:
"To date 65% of productions have paid into the SIF and that is simply too low a percentage. Right now we have a situation where those that do contribute are subsidising training initiatives and trainees that benefit productions that do not pay and that is untenable. A Bigger Future has substantial financial support via lottery and public funding but for maximum impact in the long term productions must match this commitment to safeguard the future of UK film making."
The consultation is being conducted with the partners of the SIF - PACT, UK Film Council, the Motion Picture Association, and the union BECTU - under the guidance of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education and Skills.
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE: Eve Ragout 020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325 eve@skillset.org
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. Audio visual industries in this context means, the Broadcast, Film, Video and Interactive Media Industries. Skillset was the first Sector Skills Council to be licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations in 2002 to tackle the skills and productivity challenge. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is made up of contributions from all productions due for theatrical release which are based in the UK or are in receipt of UK public funding. Productions are asked to, and those with public funding are required to, contribute 0.5% of the total production budget up to a maximum of £39,500. The current priorities areas for investment are new entrants training in craft, technical and production grades; training for production accountants; health & safety for all grades; and qualifying the industry.
3. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by the UK Film Council and Skillset with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales.
4. The Film Skills Strategy Committee comprises: Chair Stewart Till CBE - United International Pictures/Skillset/UK Film Council; Members: Steve Abbott - Prominent Pictures; Dinah Caine, Kate O'Connor - Skillset; Eric Fellner Working Title; Susan Finlayson-Sitch - UK Film Council LA; Steve Knibb, Exhibition; Michael O'Sullivan - Paramount Pictures/The Production Guild/Motion Picture Association of America; Iain Smith - Applecross Films; John McVay - Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television; William Sargent - Framestore/CFC; Martin Spence - BECTU; and Marcia Williams, John Woodward, Robert Jones - UK Film Council.
5. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through: creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established film-makers to produce successful and distinctive British films; enterprise - supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace; imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.
