Member Article

Theatre tax breaks proposals welcomed by North East sector

The North East’s arts sector has welcomed proposals to offer 25% tax relief for qualifying touring productions and 20% relief for other qualifying productions.

A consultation has now launched following last week’s Budget and will run until May 8, with relief coming into effect on September 1.

Philip Bernays, chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said: “We welcome the new theatre tax relief and really hope that it does achieve the Chancellor’s ambition of more high quality touring productions, which we can bring to our audiences in Newcastle.”

Sir Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire OBE, Joint CEOs for the ATG theatre group which includes Sunderland Empire Theatre, said: “ATG fully supports the Chancellor’s Budget proposals to extend the creative sector tax-credit arrangements to include UK theatre production.

“The move is both recognition of the importance of theatre to the national economy and a vote of confidence in what is a world-beating industry.

“The focus on incentives for regional touring is particularly welcome; touring productions are the lifeblood of the sector and generate significant cultural and economic impact around the country. Incentives like this will encourage a wider range and a greater volume of touring shows – delivering real benefits, not only to producers or those employed in the theatre industry, but to local authorities, businesses and communities throughout Britain.”

Derek Cooper, theatre manager and co-director at the Billingham Forum Theatre, added: “We are delighted by the announcement. Anything that helps our industry has to be taken as a positive step and can only be of benefit to production companies and theatres alike.”

Sarah Maxfield, area director North, Arts Council England, said: “The performing arts make a significant contribution to the UK economy and our quality of life – and the theatre tax relief is important recognition of that. The scheme will help to create an environment where creative risks can be taken, and where work can be more easily produced and toured. As such, it is vital that it supports the theatre sector across the entire country and benefits arts organisations that receive public investment.

“During this consultation period, we will work closely with the government and performing arts organisations to ensure that the scheme helps diversify funding, thereby offering further support for the sector.”

The theatre tax relief will encourage and support the sector to continue to develop both in London’s West End and across the UK with an emphasis on touring productions which face a higher risk.

This forms part of the government’s commitment to supporting the creative industries, highlighted in its Plan for Growth as having the potential to drive significant growth in the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .