Mandatory levy on UK film production proposed

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.
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, 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.
(GB)