Amazon warns of threat to Britain’s status as rival in Hollywood; Says surveys can be postponed “at short notice”.

Amazon said the UK government should not take the country’s status as a production hub to rival Hollywood for granted.

The streaming giant has warned that US studios could delay filming in the ‘short term’ if the UK loses competitiveness in the coming years.

Amazon has shown its commitment to the UK by making it a home base for major productions such as: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerBut other countries also offer attractive incentives.

Amazon made the comments in a written statement to the British Parliament’s influential Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which is conducting an inquiry into high-end films and television.

Amazon said: “It is important for policymakers to recognize that changing the location of production is much easier than it is.” [to] moved to other economic sectors.

“The production landscape is extremely competitive and jurisdictions are constantly looking for ways to attract quality television and film production. Short-term policy changes or additional business costs could have an immediate and short-term impact on shifting production from the UK.”

The company urged ministers to compare Britain with other countries and consider how they could further increase overseas investment from major studios.

In particular, Amazon said the government should reform the apprentice levy and simplify planning laws to allow more studio space to be built, as sound stages are “close to capacity”.

Britain has built a thriving film industry through generous tax breaks, excellent studio space, a highly skilled workforce and a common language.

Research from the British Film Institute found that 92% of Britain’s record production spend of 6.3 billion pounds ($7.8 billion) in 2021 came from productions abroad.

However, this virtue became a weakness during the American strikes, when major productions were halted and thousands of freelancers lost their jobs.

Amazon admitted it had been a “crippling year” for the UK display industry.