Comic Book UK, the representative body for the UK’s comic book industry, has commented on the UK Government’s Budget 2025 statement.
Mark Fuller, Chief Executive of Comic Book UK, said:
“As expected, the Chancellor has delivered a Budget statement that combines targeted tax rises and investment. As an industry committed to growth, we are particularly pleased that the Government has signalled a commitment to backing entrepreneurship in the UK by publishing a dedicated paper alongside the main Budget statement.
The paper reaffirms the Government’s support for creative industries – which comics form a foundational part of – as one of the ‘IS-8’ priority growth sectors. It also pledges measures to drive investment into innovative UK enterprises – including extensions to already proven initiatives like the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).
However, going forward this needs to be backed by a greater acknowledgement that innovation comes in the shape of creative properties as well as tech and scientific developments.
Around the world, creative properties that originated in the pages of comics are generating billions in revenue as they are translated into other media. Whether it be the ‘Walking Dead’; the superhero universes of Marvel and DC; or manga characters made famous in global anime hits, comic-originated properties – many of which have sprung from the imaginations of British comic creators – are incredibly valuable assets with near-limitless growth potential.
The UK is in pole position to be part of this global success story. With the right investment and support we can reap the rewards of comic start-ups becoming the breeding grounds of new IP; emerging publishers expanding the global reach of their properties; and, long-established companies unlocking new value from their characters.
Investment and finance for growth are key, so we encourage the Government to look into things like tailored guidance for investors in using EIS or SEIS programmes in the comic book sector, extensions of existing creative industries tax reliefs, and British Business Bank lending schemes tailored around creative IP.”
