Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Valuation Office Agency on the appropriate valuation of film and TV studios.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 and Local Government finance (Wales) Bill legislated for three yearly business rates revaluations in England and Wales from 2023. The date of completion for the next revaluation is 1 April 2026. This is to ensure that properties are assessed fairly and reflect changes in the property market over time.  The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will publish the 2026 rating lists in draft on gov.uk by 31 December 2025.

The VOA keep HMT updated on the progress of discussions they are having with stakeholders in the film and TV industry whilst preparing the 2026 rating list, and expect these updates to continue.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure that business rates do not impact the growth of the film production sector in the UK.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above – these represent less than one per cent of properties. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it would proceed with 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. As set out in supporting guidance, the government may review the level of relief in the event of significant changes in rateable values at future revaluations. Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their total liability.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in the level of business rates on film studios in the UK.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above – these represent less than one per cent of properties. The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Budget 2025.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that it would proceed with 40 per cent relief for eligible film studios in England on their gross business rates bills until March 2034. As set out in supporting guidance, the government may review the level of relief in the event of significant changes in rateable values at future revaluations. Business rates bills are calculated by applying the relevant multiplier first and so film studios will receive 40 per cent relief on their total liability.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help support the (a) long-term growth, (b) international competitiveness and (c) financial sustainability of the film production sector in the UK.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

We are committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of the film sector. We provide globally competitive tax measures to incentivise production. We are investing in infrastructure through continued funding via the British Film Commission (BFC) which has doubled the amount of studio space since 2020, and we are providing a 40% business rates relief for eligible film studios until 2034. We are supporting our independent domestic sector through our 53% independent film tax relief and committing a further £7m this year to the UK Global Screen Fund to promote and distribute UK independent screen content. We are strengthening our public service broadcasters through the Media Act. And we are working with industry to support the skills pipeline to ensure the sustainability of the sector for years to come.

As part of our Industrial Strategy, we will soon publish a Creative Industries Sector Plan, which will set out actions to support the growth of the film and TV sector.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure the financial sustainability of film studios in the UK.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

We are committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of the film sector. We provide globally competitive tax measures to incentivise production. We are investing in infrastructure through continued funding via the British Film Commission (BFC) which has doubled the amount of studio space since 2020, and we are providing a 40% business rates relief for eligible film studios until 2034. We are supporting our independent domestic sector through our 53% independent film tax relief and committing a further £7m this year to the UK Global Screen Fund to promote and distribute UK independent screen content. We are strengthening our public service broadcasters through the Media Act. And we are working with industry to support the skills pipeline to ensure the sustainability of the sector for years to come.

As part of our Industrial Strategy, we will soon publish a Creative Industries Sector Plan, which will set out actions to support the growth of the film and TV sector.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will introduce a medal in recognition of severely injured emergency service personnel.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.

The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is done in a proportionate and effective manner.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she had made of the potential impact of the planning process for building film studios on economic growth.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to supporting the growth of the creative industries, including film production.

As part of its forthcoming industrial strategy, the government will publish a creative industries sector plan which will include actions to support the film and TV sector.

While capacity and need would be material planning considerations in assessing any specific application, and each case is assessed on its own merits, the government is supportive of the development of appropriate new studio space.

We have not made a specific assessment of the potential impact of the planning process for building film studios on economic growth.

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Found: Taylor Dame Meg Hillier Jim Allister Sir Iain Duncan Smith Rachel Gilmour Danny Kruger Mr James Frith

Found: Taylor Dame Meg Hillier Jim Allister Sir Iain Duncan Smith Rachel Gilmour Danny Kruger Mr James Frith

Found: Taylor Dame Meg Hillier Jim Allister Sir Iain Duncan Smith Rachel Gilmour Danny Kruger Mr James Frith

Found: Taylor Dame Meg Hillier Jim Allister Sir Iain Duncan Smith Rachel Gilmour Danny Kruger Mr James Frith