Charlie Ingall, co-founder of VERSA Studios, the Granada Studios, Manchester-founded studio facility that now also has a studio in Leeds and hosts favourites including Dragons’ Den, Bullseye, Blue Peter and Morning Live, has called for government and industry action to strengthen the competitiveness of the UK’s screen industries, warning that increasing international competition threatens future production investment, jobs and economic growth.
Speaking at the House of Commons during the launch of West London Screens: The Hidden Engine of the UK Screen Industries, Ingall highlighted the importance of maintaining the UK’s position as a global production leader and urged continued support for the sector through targeted policy measures.
The event, hosted by Dr Rupa Huq MP for Ealing Central and Acton and member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, brought together senior representatives from government, HM Treasury, broadcasters, studios, production companies, universities and industry organisations to discuss the future competitiveness of the UK’s screen industries.
“The UK remains one of the world’s leading destinations for film and television production, supported by exceptional talent, world-class crews, outstanding facilities and a long history of innovation,” said Ingall.
“But global competition has never been greater. Countries around the world are investing aggressively to attract productions, jobs and infrastructure, and the UK cannot afford to stand still.”
Ingall highlighted the critical role that West London plays within the wider UK production ecosystem, arguing that investment in London often creates opportunities across the regions.
“A strong West London means a strong UK. We have seen first-hand how productions and relationships established in London can drive investment and production activity into Manchester, Leeds and other regional centres, creating jobs and economic benefits throughout the country.”
Ingall identified three areas where further action is needed to maintain the UK’s competitiveness: continued reform of business rates affecting studio infrastructure, measures to address rising industrial energy costs and the introduction of a dedicated tax incentive for unscripted television production.
“Studios are long-term investments that support employment, inward investment and economic growth. While progress has been made on business rates, more needs to be done to ensure we remain internationally competitive.”
He also highlighted the impact of rising energy costs on production facilities across the sector.
“Every production relies on energy. Rising energy costs ultimately increase production costs and affect our ability to compete against international markets.”
Particular attention was given to the UK’s unscripted television sector, which currently does not benefit from a dedicated production tax credit.
“The UK has built a phenomenal screen industry through a combination of talent, infrastructure and smart policy interventions. However, unscripted television remains one of the few major production sectors without a dedicated incentive, despite the significant jobs, exports and economic activity it generates.”
Ingall added that international unscripted incentives are already influencing production decisions: “I know of at least three productions in the last six months that have gone overseas purely because of a tax credit incentive. That represents investment, jobs and economic activity that could have remained in the UK,” he said.
He concluded by calling for continued collaboration between government and industry: “With these issues it is up to the industry to inform government of the problems we face which reduce our global competitiveness, and it is up to the industry to present solutions,” the studio chief asserted. “This isn’t about an individual company or one area of the UK; it’s about the whole country competing globally. I believe in collaboration and partnerships, and if we take action as an industry then as the tide rises all ships will rise.”
During the event, Jack Abbott MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, highlighted the economic importance of the sector, stating: “This is thousands of jobs, this is billions of pounds of investment.”
Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, reaffirmed government support for the screen industries and welcomed continued dialogue with industry on future growth and competitiveness, stating: “Screen and film – I back it. I know the Chancellor backs it. And we’re always interested in looking at ideas about what more we can do.”
Other speakers included Adrian Wootton OBE, chief executive of the British Film Commission and Film London, and Professor Emily Caston, director of the Public Research Institute of Screen Media (PRISM) at the University of West London, whose research formed the basis of the report.
Attendees included John McDonnell MP, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Hasan Bakhshi MBE, Marcus Ryder MBE, Neil Hatton MBE, Rishi Coupland, Elizabeth Diaferia and Steve Davies.
