Lord Hannan of Kingsclere
Main Page: Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Conservative - Life peer)US Tariff on UK Films
Lord Hannan of Kingsclere Excerpts
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
My noble friend raises an issue that I am very passionate about. I can list similar initiatives across Yorkshire, which has become a real centre for film, as most noble Lords will know. I reassure her about the measures we are bringing in around tax relief uplift, independent film tax relief and—something that will be close to her heart—the whole issue of looking at how we can help through a review of business rates. We have confirmed a 40% relief for film studios until 2034 and plan to permanently lower rates for eligible cinemas and other retail, hospitality and leisure properties. It is so important that the regions are kept at the forefront of this agenda. Some mayors have put this as one of the central planks in their future planning. It is critical that we keep our eye on the whole of the country and improve opportunities.
Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Con)
My Lords, His Majesty’s Government have had a very good week on trade. We have just signed a deal with India, the fourth biggest economy in the world—about to become the third biggest—and we hope to have an announcement today that we will have a deal with the largest economy and our largest trading partner, the United States. The great benefits will accrue like compound interest, but can the Minister confirm that the full measure of these benefits will be felt by our fellow subjects in Northern Ireland, not only in the film industry, which is important there, but across the board?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The point that I made in answer to the previous question was in relation to the regions of England, but of course the devolved authorities must come into this picture. In moving forward with the trade deals that we have, we must not forget the significance of the EU market, particularly in this area of the creative industries. It is fundamental that we keep that at the front of our minds and protect those people who most need it.