Animation UK meets Treasury and DCMS to call for tax credits

Chancellor, George Osborne has met with Animation UK as they try to persuade the Coalition Government to introduce tax credits for the sector.

It comes just 4 weeks ahead of the budget and Animation UK leaders called the meeting “very positive and productive.”

Sitting around the table were representatives from the Treasury as well as Ed Vaizey from the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

"Meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the DCMS and top Treasury officials only four weeks before the budget to discuss a proposed animation tax credit, shows what a huge way we have come,” said Oli Hyatt chair of Animation UK.

“The government and civil servants said we had suffered in the past from being ‘hugely under represented’. They now understand our issues and know only too well the value of increasing and retaining IP in the UK and the inward investment that could come from a tax credit for the Animation industry, as well as the cultural and educational benefits for the millions of children that watch our shows. I believe we presented a very convincing argument."

Animation UK is supported by  companies including Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick Entertainment, Chapman Entertainment, Studio Liddell, Baby Cow, HIT and Aardman.

It’s calling for the Government to offer the same production tax breaks as seen overseas.

"Don't pack you bags! Sell your ferry tickets to Ireland, refund your shuttle tickets to France and cancel your flights to Canada! Pop the kettle on and have one last cup of very British Tea and wait to see if the Government will help our world beating animation talent thrive on March 21st [budget announcement,” added Hyatt.


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