Government must replace Creative Europe funding, says Bectu

Bectu will lobby the government to commit to directly replacing funding lost from the UK film and TV industries as a result of withdrawal from Creative Europe.

Creative Europe is a European Union programme that supports film and other audio-visual industries. The UK had an option to become a third-party participant through financial contributions.

However, a government policy document covering Brexit withdrawal negotiations called Our approach to the Future Relationship with the EU published on 27 February made no mention of Creative Europe.

This decision means that funding from the programme will end in December 2020.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “This is troubling news for British independent film-makers trying to survive in a market dominated by American productions.

“Creative Europe is instrumental in supporting the independent film sector through initial seed funding which enables many productions to get off the ground.

“Bectu will be contacting ministers to find out why the government opted out of third-country participation and for reassurances that the funding will be directly replaced.

“There are clear economic arguments for this funding to remain in place. The government must not take the success of our creative industries for granted in a post-Brexit economy.”