Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been invited to take part in one of three leaders' debates to be held before the next General Election.
Broadcasters BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have announced their initial proposals for the televised debates, which will take place in April 2015. In a further change, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg would take part in just two of the three debates, having spoken at all three prior to the 2010 election.
The plans - which the broadcasters say reflect "changes in the political landscape" since the last election in 2010 - are as follows:
One head-to-head debate featuring the current prime minister, Conservative party leader David Cameron, and leader of the opposition, Labour party leader Ed Miliband. Hosted by Jeremy Paxman and introduced by Kay Burley, this will air on Sky and Channel 4;
One debate featuring Cameron, Miliband and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
Broadcasters BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have announced their initial proposals for the televised debates, which will take place in April 2015. In a further change, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg would take part in just two of the three debates, having spoken at all three prior to the 2010 election.
The plans - which the broadcasters say reflect "changes in the political landscape" since the last election in 2010 - are as follows:
One head-to-head debate featuring the current prime minister, Conservative party leader David Cameron, and leader of the opposition, Labour party leader Ed Miliband. Hosted by Jeremy Paxman and introduced by Kay Burley, this will air on Sky and Channel 4;
One debate featuring Cameron, Miliband and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats.
- 10/13/2014
- Digital Spy
New Tricks rose slightly from last week to win the ratings outside soaps on Bank Holiday Monday, overnight data reveals.
The BBC One drama climbed by around 50,000 viewers to an average audience of 5.84 million (23.8%) at 9pm.
Earlier, a different slot for Countryfile appealed to 4.30m (23.5%) at 6pm, followed by coverage of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2014 with 4.53m (21.0%) at 7pm. A repeat of Miranda amused 3.33m (13.8%) at 8.30pm, while a look back on the career of Lord Richard Attenborough was seen by 2.26m (17.5%) at 10.35pm.
BBC Two's University Challenge quizzed 2.65m (11.2%) at 8pm. The Scotland Decides debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling educated 1.66m (6.8%) at 9pm.
On ITV, Countrywise gathered 2.49m (10.5%) at 8pm (109k/0.4% on +1), followed by the latest Long Lost Family with 3.28m (13.4%) at 9pm (249k/1.5%).
Channel 4's Food Unwrapped was seen by 777k (3.4%) at 7.30pm (157k/0.6%), while Richard Ayoade's Gadget Man returned with 995k...
The BBC One drama climbed by around 50,000 viewers to an average audience of 5.84 million (23.8%) at 9pm.
Earlier, a different slot for Countryfile appealed to 4.30m (23.5%) at 6pm, followed by coverage of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2014 with 4.53m (21.0%) at 7pm. A repeat of Miranda amused 3.33m (13.8%) at 8.30pm, while a look back on the career of Lord Richard Attenborough was seen by 2.26m (17.5%) at 10.35pm.
BBC Two's University Challenge quizzed 2.65m (11.2%) at 8pm. The Scotland Decides debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling educated 1.66m (6.8%) at 9pm.
On ITV, Countrywise gathered 2.49m (10.5%) at 8pm (109k/0.4% on +1), followed by the latest Long Lost Family with 3.28m (13.4%) at 9pm (249k/1.5%).
Channel 4's Food Unwrapped was seen by 777k (3.4%) at 7.30pm (157k/0.6%), while Richard Ayoade's Gadget Man returned with 995k...
- 8/26/2014
- Digital Spy
The BBC will broadcast a live referendum debate between Snp leader Alex Salmond and Better Together campaigner Alistair Darling.
The 90-minute debate, titled Scotland Decides: Salmond Versus Darling, will air live on the BBC on August 25 at 8.30pm.
It will be broadcast on BBC One in Scotland and BBC Two in the rest of the UK.
BBC World News, which is available in over 100 countries, will also air live coverage, as will the BBC News Channel and numerous radio stations.
Presented by Glenn Campbell, the debate will take place at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow before an audience of 200.
Selected by polling and research company ComRes, audience members will have an opportunity to pose questions to the opposing campaigners for Scottish independence.
BBC Scotland's John Boothman said that public interest in the issue is high, and that the debate will give people the chance to "interrogate...
The 90-minute debate, titled Scotland Decides: Salmond Versus Darling, will air live on the BBC on August 25 at 8.30pm.
It will be broadcast on BBC One in Scotland and BBC Two in the rest of the UK.
BBC World News, which is available in over 100 countries, will also air live coverage, as will the BBC News Channel and numerous radio stations.
Presented by Glenn Campbell, the debate will take place at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow before an audience of 200.
Selected by polling and research company ComRes, audience members will have an opportunity to pose questions to the opposing campaigners for Scottish independence.
BBC Scotland's John Boothman said that public interest in the issue is high, and that the debate will give people the chance to "interrogate...
- 8/14/2014
- Digital Spy
Stv has confirmed details of a live TV debate on the Scottish referendum.
First minister Alex Salmond will discuss the Scottish independence decision with the Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling next month.
The two-hour live debate will take place on August 5, and will be hosted by Stv's political editor Bernard Ponsonby.
It was originally scheduled for July 16, but was cancelled after Salmond refused to appear unless he was facing off against David Cameron.
Salmond later accepted the debate after the broadcaster offered a later date. However, Better Together initially refused after accusing Stv of surrendering to Salmond's demands.
The BBC has also made a bid to host a live debate on August 12, hosted by James Cook.
A spokesperson for Salmond said: "We accepted this invitation weeks ago and are delighted that Alistair Darling has finally done likewise and accepted the challenge of debating with the first minister on live TV,...
First minister Alex Salmond will discuss the Scottish independence decision with the Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling next month.
The two-hour live debate will take place on August 5, and will be hosted by Stv's political editor Bernard Ponsonby.
It was originally scheduled for July 16, but was cancelled after Salmond refused to appear unless he was facing off against David Cameron.
Salmond later accepted the debate after the broadcaster offered a later date. However, Better Together initially refused after accusing Stv of surrendering to Salmond's demands.
The BBC has also made a bid to host a live debate on August 12, hosted by James Cook.
A spokesperson for Salmond said: "We accepted this invitation weeks ago and are delighted that Alistair Darling has finally done likewise and accepted the challenge of debating with the first minister on live TV,...
- 7/10/2014
- Digital Spy
Hadrian's wall, Culloden, the poll tax, Jacob Rees-Mogg: yes, England has inflicted an awful lot of angst and pain on Scotland down the centuries – but, look, we still don't want you to leave
1 Sorry for calling every last one of you "Jock". We now know it's offensive, especially if you're a woman.
2 So sorry for the years of heartless Conservative governments that you never voted for that ripped the heart out of the Scottish mining, steel and shipbuilding industries, butchered public services and imposed an unwonted, dismal neo-liberal ethos on a land to which such a callous political and economic philosophy was inimical.
3 And for making you guinea pigs for Margaret Thatcher's disastrous poll tax, inflicting it on you a year before England and Wales, and then – somehow! – forgetting to backdate the rebate for the tax when it was abolished in the early 90s.
4 Sorry for the 1746 Dress Act that banned tartan,...
1 Sorry for calling every last one of you "Jock". We now know it's offensive, especially if you're a woman.
2 So sorry for the years of heartless Conservative governments that you never voted for that ripped the heart out of the Scottish mining, steel and shipbuilding industries, butchered public services and imposed an unwonted, dismal neo-liberal ethos on a land to which such a callous political and economic philosophy was inimical.
3 And for making you guinea pigs for Margaret Thatcher's disastrous poll tax, inflicting it on you a year before England and Wales, and then – somehow! – forgetting to backdate the rebate for the tax when it was abolished in the early 90s.
4 Sorry for the 1746 Dress Act that banned tartan,...
- 2/20/2014
- by Stuart Jeffries
- The Guardian - Film News
More lists, taking in Gregg Wallace's happiest feelings and Rihanna chucking up ribbons
8 movie characters you wouldn't want to fuck with, by Jordan Rizzle Kicks
1 Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills (in Taken)
Literally slaps up most of Paris in 96 hours.
2 Brad Pitt as Mickey O'Neil (in Snatch)
One-hit wonder.
3 Gary Oldman as Stansfield (in Leon)
No one plays gun-toting villains like Gary Oldman.
4 Vincent Cassel as Jacques (in Mesrine)
He holds up a judge at gunpoint. Enough said.
5 Keanu Reeves as Neo (in The Matrix)
Can literally do anything.
6 Denzel Washington as Eli (in The Book Of Eli)
Can batter people while wearing a backpack.
7 Samuel L Jackson as Jules (in Pulp Fiction)
Just wants to be the shepherd.
8 Ben Kingsley as Don Logan (in Sexy Beast)
Doesn't take no for an answer.
Rizzle Kicks' single Mama Do The Hump is out on Boxing Day
Alistair Darling's finest...
8 movie characters you wouldn't want to fuck with, by Jordan Rizzle Kicks
1 Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills (in Taken)
Literally slaps up most of Paris in 96 hours.
2 Brad Pitt as Mickey O'Neil (in Snatch)
One-hit wonder.
3 Gary Oldman as Stansfield (in Leon)
No one plays gun-toting villains like Gary Oldman.
4 Vincent Cassel as Jacques (in Mesrine)
He holds up a judge at gunpoint. Enough said.
5 Keanu Reeves as Neo (in The Matrix)
Can literally do anything.
6 Denzel Washington as Eli (in The Book Of Eli)
Can batter people while wearing a backpack.
7 Samuel L Jackson as Jules (in Pulp Fiction)
Just wants to be the shepherd.
8 Ben Kingsley as Don Logan (in Sexy Beast)
Doesn't take no for an answer.
Rizzle Kicks' single Mama Do The Hump is out on Boxing Day
Alistair Darling's finest...
- 12/24/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Stock markets and the euro rallied on Thursday after a draft agreement emerged from a crucial summit taking place in Brussels
Stock markets and the euro rallied on Thursday after European leaders moved closer to hammering out a new rescue plan, including a "Marshall plan" to stimulate the Greek economy.
The euro gained more than one and a half cents to $1.433, after a draft agreement emerged from a crucial summit taking place in Brussels. This plan would give Greece, Ireland and Portugal more time to repay the money loaned to them through their recent bailouts.
Other weaker nations, potentially Italy and Spain, would also be offered "precautionary credit lines", in an effort to stop them requiring a full bailout.
Although an agreement may not come until late on Thursday, or on Friday, investors welcomed the details of the draft conclusions. The Ftse 100 erased early losses, and was up 28 points at 5881 in afternoon trading.
Stock markets and the euro rallied on Thursday after European leaders moved closer to hammering out a new rescue plan, including a "Marshall plan" to stimulate the Greek economy.
The euro gained more than one and a half cents to $1.433, after a draft agreement emerged from a crucial summit taking place in Brussels. This plan would give Greece, Ireland and Portugal more time to repay the money loaned to them through their recent bailouts.
Other weaker nations, potentially Italy and Spain, would also be offered "precautionary credit lines", in an effort to stop them requiring a full bailout.
Although an agreement may not come until late on Thursday, or on Friday, investors welcomed the details of the draft conclusions. The Ftse 100 erased early losses, and was up 28 points at 5881 in afternoon trading.
- 7/21/2011
- by Julia Kollewe, Ian Traynor, Graeme Wearden
- The Guardian - Film News
How did the financial crash of 2008 happen? This documentary, narrated by Matt Damon, does a good job of explaining a complex story of credit and discredit
"If you're growing, you're not in recession … right?" The speaker is Hank Paulson, the former Us treasury secretary, and, as it happens, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs. In Charles Ferguson's documentary about the great financial crash, Paulson's shrugging remark sums up the attitude of the super-rich banking apparatchiks and their eager political supporters. As long as the bubble's getting bigger, there's no worry about the bubble contracting … right? But that is not what happens to bubbles. In 2008, the pop was heard around the world.
This film is as gripping as any thriller. Aided by some fascinating interviews, Ferguson lays out an awful story. In the 1980s, the markets and financial services were deregulated, and the driving force for this liberalisation was Alan Greenspan,...
"If you're growing, you're not in recession … right?" The speaker is Hank Paulson, the former Us treasury secretary, and, as it happens, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs. In Charles Ferguson's documentary about the great financial crash, Paulson's shrugging remark sums up the attitude of the super-rich banking apparatchiks and their eager political supporters. As long as the bubble's getting bigger, there's no worry about the bubble contracting … right? But that is not what happens to bubbles. In 2008, the pop was heard around the world.
This film is as gripping as any thriller. Aided by some fascinating interviews, Ferguson lays out an awful story. In the 1980s, the markets and financial services were deregulated, and the driving force for this liberalisation was Alan Greenspan,...
- 2/18/2011
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Architect Norman Foster and author Margaret Atwood to spearhead partial tie-up between festivals
Norman Foster and Margaret Atwood are to star in a collaboration between two of Edinburgh's largest festivals as part of a new initiative to expand the reach and audience of the city's international book festival.
In a joint project with the Edinburgh film festival this August – the first on this scale attempted by two of the city's 12 annual festivals – Foster and Atwood will be amongst a number of prominent guests exploring the different techniques film-makers and writers use for biographies.
The events will be staged at the Filmhouse cinema complex, where this year's film festival is now taking place, as part of plans by the new director of the city's international book festival, Nick Barley, to develop an event based for nearly 30 years in a "tented city" in the gardens of Charlotte Square in the city's Georgian New Town.
Norman Foster and Margaret Atwood are to star in a collaboration between two of Edinburgh's largest festivals as part of a new initiative to expand the reach and audience of the city's international book festival.
In a joint project with the Edinburgh film festival this August – the first on this scale attempted by two of the city's 12 annual festivals – Foster and Atwood will be amongst a number of prominent guests exploring the different techniques film-makers and writers use for biographies.
The events will be staged at the Filmhouse cinema complex, where this year's film festival is now taking place, as part of plans by the new director of the city's international book festival, Nick Barley, to develop an event based for nearly 30 years in a "tented city" in the gardens of Charlotte Square in the city's Georgian New Town.
- 6/17/2010
- by Severin Carrell
- The Guardian - Film News
London, April 23 – It seems that overgrown, bushy eyebrows like those of UK politician Alistair Darling are the in thing now, especially after celebs like Victoria Beckham were seen sporting them.
Posh, 36, was seen sporting the eyebrows during a photoshoot for Vogue, and the trend seems to have been picked up by Chanel and Prada for their recent catwalk shows.
But its not only the celebs who have been affected, as a survey shows that the number of women seeking eyebrow transplants has doubled in the past 12 months.
The 3,500 pounds operation.
Posh, 36, was seen sporting the eyebrows during a photoshoot for Vogue, and the trend seems to have been picked up by Chanel and Prada for their recent catwalk shows.
But its not only the celebs who have been affected, as a survey shows that the number of women seeking eyebrow transplants has doubled in the past 12 months.
The 3,500 pounds operation.
- 4/23/2010
- by News
- RealBollywood.com
Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine joins David Cameron at launch of plan for 'non-military' national service scheme
Not a lot of people knew that Michael Caine was set to be the Conservative party's secret weapon in the general election campaign.
But today, the Oscar-winning actor, who last year threatened to leave the country for tax reasons, stood alongside David Cameron and backed his plans to set up a "non-military" national service scheme.
Speaking at his first press conference since the general election was called, Cameron gave details of the scheme that would give 16-year-olds the chance to volunteer for community work for two months.
Caine, who grew up in an underprivileged area of south London, recounted tales of his upbringing in Elephant and Castle and his experience doing military service.
The actor, who is worth an estimated £45m, empathised with the troubled youth of the country.
"I'm a representative of all...
Not a lot of people knew that Michael Caine was set to be the Conservative party's secret weapon in the general election campaign.
But today, the Oscar-winning actor, who last year threatened to leave the country for tax reasons, stood alongside David Cameron and backed his plans to set up a "non-military" national service scheme.
Speaking at his first press conference since the general election was called, Cameron gave details of the scheme that would give 16-year-olds the chance to volunteer for community work for two months.
Caine, who grew up in an underprivileged area of south London, recounted tales of his upbringing in Elephant and Castle and his experience doing military service.
The actor, who is worth an estimated £45m, empathised with the troubled youth of the country.
"I'm a representative of all...
- 4/8/2010
- by Alexandra Topping
- The Guardian - Film News
London -- It's game on for the computer playmasters with the U.K. government promising a tax relief system for the computer gaming sector similar to that currently available to the movie sector here.
The British government's fiscal chief Alistair Darling unveiled the system of tax relief in his annual budget speech Wednesday, which lays out government spending and taxation plans.
The move comes on the back of months of lobbying by the gaming sector here to help put a stop to games developers jetting out of the U.K. to Canada to ply their trade amid tax incentives.
Dubbed the Games Tax Relief, the tax plan "is good for the U.K. games industry, good for consumers of British video games and good for the wider U.K. economy," according to Richard Wilson, chief executive of Tiga, the industry association for games developers.
The British video games industry contributes...
The British government's fiscal chief Alistair Darling unveiled the system of tax relief in his annual budget speech Wednesday, which lays out government spending and taxation plans.
The move comes on the back of months of lobbying by the gaming sector here to help put a stop to games developers jetting out of the U.K. to Canada to ply their trade amid tax incentives.
Dubbed the Games Tax Relief, the tax plan "is good for the U.K. games industry, good for consumers of British video games and good for the wider U.K. economy," according to Richard Wilson, chief executive of Tiga, the industry association for games developers.
The British video games industry contributes...
- 3/24/2010
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Piers Morgan was left red faced after crashing into Sarah Brown’s car at 10 Downing Street.
The Britain’s Got Talent star was leaving the Prime Minister’s residence after interviewing Chancellor Alistair Darling.
At a later event he admitted that he had taken a “pretty big chunk” out of Sarah’s £16,000 Ford Fusion.
He added: “She was standing on the pavement watching with six bodyguards. I am so humiliated.
“I want to apologise to Sarah Brown for crashing into her car.”
A No 10 spokesman said: “It was a minor bump. Mrs Brown was good-natured about it.”
Related posts:Piers Morgan Blasts Jade Goody’s CriticsPiers Morgan: Simon and Amanda are full of botox!Piers Morgan Criticises Big BrotherPiers Morgan: ‘Susan Boyle is famous because of me!’Piers Morgan Calls Russell Brand ‘Disgusting’Copyright © Unreality TV 2009 | Celebrity Big Brother Updates
This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. The use...
The Britain’s Got Talent star was leaving the Prime Minister’s residence after interviewing Chancellor Alistair Darling.
At a later event he admitted that he had taken a “pretty big chunk” out of Sarah’s £16,000 Ford Fusion.
He added: “She was standing on the pavement watching with six bodyguards. I am so humiliated.
“I want to apologise to Sarah Brown for crashing into her car.”
A No 10 spokesman said: “It was a minor bump. Mrs Brown was good-natured about it.”
Related posts:Piers Morgan Blasts Jade Goody’s CriticsPiers Morgan: Simon and Amanda are full of botox!Piers Morgan Criticises Big BrotherPiers Morgan: ‘Susan Boyle is famous because of me!’Piers Morgan Calls Russell Brand ‘Disgusting’Copyright © Unreality TV 2009 | Celebrity Big Brother Updates
This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. The use...
- 2/24/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Piers Morgan has made a public apology to Gordon Brown's wife Sarah after crashing into her car on Downing Street. The incident occurred yesterday morning when the Britain's Got Talent judge visited Number 10 to interview Chancellor Alistair Darling for GQ magazine. Speaking at the Elle Style Awards last night, Morgan remarked: "I want to apologise to Sarah Brown for crashing into her car this morning, nearly killing her and her son." The former tabloid editor said that Mrs Brown was standing nearby on the pavement when he accidentally reversed his car into hers, taking out "a pretty big (more)...
- 2/23/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
A man accused of making Bristol Crown Court smell of garlic recently changed his name to Gordon Alistair Darling-Brown, it has emerged. Previously known as Martyn Foster, the 51-year-old man changed his name last month to incorporate those of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and chancellor Alistair Darling, thisisbristol reports. The court had to be evacuated on April 14 after garlic oil was spread on radiators and in plant pots, causing members of the public to "gag". Darling-Brown, (more)...
- 4/29/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Sir Michael Caine has blasted UK tax rises and said that any further increases will force him, and other celebrities, to move abroad. The Oscar-winning actor told The Daily Telegraph that Chancellor Alistair Darling's 2009 Budget decision to increase income tax to 50% for the country's highest earners had made him seriously consider leaving the country. "I will not pay the Government more than I get. No way, ever. So they've reached their limit with me. That's the lot," (more)...
- 4/26/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
London -- The U.K.'s media, technology and music sectors will be among the industries able to draw from a new €2.5 billion ($3.6 billion) public funding pool being set aside for investment "in the industries and high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future."
The fund was announced Wednesday by Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling in his annual budget speech, which lays out government spending and taxation plans.
The budget also includes a $1.1 billion strategic investment fund to support advanced "industrial projects of strategic importance." While a third of that cash will be used to back low-carbon projects, the rest could be used for regionally important sectors and emerging technologies, such as digital businesses and biotechnology.
"It is vital to ensure the entire country and economy benefits from the digital age," Darling told the House of Commons. "So I am allocating extra funding for digital investment, to help to extend the...
The fund was announced Wednesday by Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling in his annual budget speech, which lays out government spending and taxation plans.
The budget also includes a $1.1 billion strategic investment fund to support advanced "industrial projects of strategic importance." While a third of that cash will be used to back low-carbon projects, the rest could be used for regionally important sectors and emerging technologies, such as digital businesses and biotechnology.
"It is vital to ensure the entire country and economy benefits from the digital age," Darling told the House of Commons. "So I am allocating extra funding for digital investment, to help to extend the...
- 4/22/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alistair Darling has voiced support for the X Factor finalists's charity single 'Hero'. The chancellor proposed that tax on sales of the single be refunded during a sitting at Parliament today, reports Reuters. He said: "I support the efforts being made by the X Factor contestants and in recognition of that I'm proposing effectively to waive the Vat on the sale of these (more)...
- 10/30/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
More Britons have nightmares about Amy Winehouse than any other celebrity, according to a new survey. Pete Doherty, Jodie Marsh and The Cheeky Girls also featured in respondents' dreams, along with spider attacks, falling, and encounters with political figures such as Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling. The Travelodge survey found that one in ten adults has suffered an unpleasant dream in the last week, with more women afflicted than men. Company spokesperson Leigh McCarron said: "Dreaming about being chased or falling is a reaction to the stresses we face in life, the attacker [or falling] (more)...
- 8/16/2008
- by By Beth Hilton
- Digital Spy
LONDON -- In his first budget, U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling on Wednesday finished closing a tax loophole that already had been partially addressed by his predecessor.
In 2007, Gordon Brown, now prime minister, used his budget to outlaw so-called "sideways loss relief," ending of the use of artificial arrangements by partnerships to create trading losses to offset other income.
The latest measure extends that to include "sole traders." The move is designed to prevent individual film investors' tax returns from offsetting predicted losses in film against profits in other sectors.
"We have made clear over and over again that the government will take action against tax avoidance schemes and that's what they've done today," a U.K. Film Council spokesperson said of the move. "The only specific tax relief for the production of films is the film tax relief, which has been structured to help filmmakers; everything else has a large health warning attached to it."
In detailed budget notes, the government explained: "The new rules will affect non-active sole traders (those spending an average of less than 10 hours a week personally engaged in the trade).
In 2007, Gordon Brown, now prime minister, used his budget to outlaw so-called "sideways loss relief," ending of the use of artificial arrangements by partnerships to create trading losses to offset other income.
The latest measure extends that to include "sole traders." The move is designed to prevent individual film investors' tax returns from offsetting predicted losses in film against profits in other sectors.
"We have made clear over and over again that the government will take action against tax avoidance schemes and that's what they've done today," a U.K. Film Council spokesperson said of the move. "The only specific tax relief for the production of films is the film tax relief, which has been structured to help filmmakers; everything else has a large health warning attached to it."
In detailed budget notes, the government explained: "The new rules will affect non-active sole traders (those spending an average of less than 10 hours a week personally engaged in the trade).
- 3/13/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- The U.K. Film Council finds itself in a positive funding position after the Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling delivered his debut pre-budget speech Tuesday.
.
The newly crowned Chancellor -- Darling took up the reins from Prime Minister Gordon Brown -- told a packed House of Commons that funding for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, would rise 6% in line with inflation to £2.2 billion ($4.4 billion) by 2011.
It means the DCMS, which fuels the U.K. Film Council's coffers for all things movie here, should have a bit of extra cash to dish out.
In his speech, which maps out the Government's conclusions of the Comprehensive Spending Review, Darling said: "The budget for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will increase to £2.2 billion in three years time. This guarantees an inflation increase for the arts, free access to museums and galleries, extra for sport so that every child and young person can take part in five hours of sport a week."
He also noted the extra cash will "deliver the Cultural Olympiad in the run-up to London 2012."
For the Council, it is a wait and see game, as the organization will now have to sit it out while the DCMS decides which arts and cultural bodies should benefit from the government's burst of generosity.
.
The newly crowned Chancellor -- Darling took up the reins from Prime Minister Gordon Brown -- told a packed House of Commons that funding for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, would rise 6% in line with inflation to £2.2 billion ($4.4 billion) by 2011.
It means the DCMS, which fuels the U.K. Film Council's coffers for all things movie here, should have a bit of extra cash to dish out.
In his speech, which maps out the Government's conclusions of the Comprehensive Spending Review, Darling said: "The budget for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will increase to £2.2 billion in three years time. This guarantees an inflation increase for the arts, free access to museums and galleries, extra for sport so that every child and young person can take part in five hours of sport a week."
He also noted the extra cash will "deliver the Cultural Olympiad in the run-up to London 2012."
For the Council, it is a wait and see game, as the organization will now have to sit it out while the DCMS decides which arts and cultural bodies should benefit from the government's burst of generosity.
- 10/10/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alistair Darling on Thursday referred the BSkyB Group's acquisition of a 17.9% stake in ITV to the Competition Commission, triggering a detailed examination of the satcaster's role in the television market.
The inquiry, which is expected to take as long as six months to complete, will conduct a detailed investigation into the effects of Sky's November 2006 swoop on ITV shares, examining both competition and public interest issues as well as the specified public interest consideration relating to the plurality of persons with control of media enterprises.
If the deal is ruled against, BSkyB may be forced to offload all or part of the stake, despite being under the 20% ownership threshold imposed by existing media ownership legislation.
In a statement to Parliament, Darling said that he had made the decision to refer the deal on advice from two earlier inquiries into the deal.
"My decision reflects consideration of the reports I have received from both the Office of Fair Trading and Ofcom and of other representations I have received about this matter.
The inquiry, which is expected to take as long as six months to complete, will conduct a detailed investigation into the effects of Sky's November 2006 swoop on ITV shares, examining both competition and public interest issues as well as the specified public interest consideration relating to the plurality of persons with control of media enterprises.
If the deal is ruled against, BSkyB may be forced to offload all or part of the stake, despite being under the 20% ownership threshold imposed by existing media ownership legislation.
In a statement to Parliament, Darling said that he had made the decision to refer the deal on advice from two earlier inquiries into the deal.
"My decision reflects consideration of the reports I have received from both the Office of Fair Trading and Ofcom and of other representations I have received about this matter.
- 5/25/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Members of Parliament have called on trade secretary Alistair Darling to block BSkyB's acquisition of a 17.9% stake in commercial broadcaster ITV.
The deal, which is currently being reviewed by media regulator Ofcom, took the media industry by surprise in November. Sky's stealth raid is widely thought to have derailed Virgin NTL's merger talks with ITV.
A cross-party alliance of MPs tabled a motion Tuesday asking Darling to order a public interest inquiry into the deal and to refer it to competition body the Office of Fair Trading.
"There are concerns on all sides of parliament that BSkyB, as the largest shareholder in ITV, would have real conflicts of interest concerning sports rights, the ITV news contract and the development of Freeview and Freesat," the parliamentary motion reads.
Media regulator Ofcom has completed its call for submissions over the deal and will make its report within the next few weeks. It is investigating whether the deal constitutes a "material change in control" of ITV.
The deal, which is currently being reviewed by media regulator Ofcom, took the media industry by surprise in November. Sky's stealth raid is widely thought to have derailed Virgin NTL's merger talks with ITV.
A cross-party alliance of MPs tabled a motion Tuesday asking Darling to order a public interest inquiry into the deal and to refer it to competition body the Office of Fair Trading.
"There are concerns on all sides of parliament that BSkyB, as the largest shareholder in ITV, would have real conflicts of interest concerning sports rights, the ITV news contract and the development of Freeview and Freesat," the parliamentary motion reads.
Media regulator Ofcom has completed its call for submissions over the deal and will make its report within the next few weeks. It is investigating whether the deal constitutes a "material change in control" of ITV.
- 1/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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