It's a wrap for busiest filming year EVER in Liverpool

IT'S been a bumper year for filming in Liverpool, as figures reveal it is officially the busiest year in the Film Office's 30 year history. Since January, 366 different film and TV projects have chosen to film in Liverpool and the wider City Region, the largest recorded in a single year since records began. It equates to 1,387 film days, which works out as an average of 4 projects filming in the area every single day of the year. The number of high end productions which film over a longer period of time has doubled, and this has proved to be a Box Office smash for the local economy, generating a massive ₤16.1 million; more than a ₤5million increase on 2017. Examples of the high end productions which have filmed on the City's streets in 2018 include:- BBC primetime drama:- 'The War of the Worlds,' Sky1's 'Bulletproof' starring Noel Clarke and Ashley Walters, Jimmy McGovern's Care and leading ITV drama 'Anne' written by Liverpool writer Kevin Sampson.

During 2018, Liverpool welcomed royalty as 2 queens headed to the City with 'Victoria' and 'The Crown,' and Sir Paul McCartney was shotgun in 'Carpool Karaoke,' filming in various City locations with James Cordon, viewed by a worldwide audience of more than 100 million people.

Merseyside continued to be the star of the silver screen as Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis shot their latest film here, which stars Ed Sheeran. 3 international feature films were also shot on location here, hailing from Germany, Austria and Japan. Familiar faces were also on the scene as cult hit:- 'Peaky Blinders' made its return along with BBC's Moving On and ITV's award winning comedy:- 'Timewasters.'

Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "These figures are incredible and we can safely say Liverpool is maintaining its crown as one of the most film friendly Cities in the UK. The calibre of productions coming here is incredible, and the boost this then has on our local economy is invaluable. Every day, Liverpool Film Office is approached from production teams across the world, looking to film in the City Region. We have a unique offer, a huge and diverse number of potential locations, combined with the professionalism of the small film office team, who really do go above and beyond to attract projects to the City."

Betsan Morris Evans, Producer for the BBC's production of The War of the Worlds, said:- "We had a fantastic experience filming in Liverpool; the Film Office made our time in the City so easy; from closing roads and helping source key locations, it really was a wonderful working relationship. I honestly feel in the near future, Liverpool will be the main place to film in Britain. Every producer I know wants to film in Liverpool, and the arrival of the new film studios will make it all possible."

Lynn Saunders, Manager of Liverpool Film Office, said:- "At the moment the UK is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the volume and scale of broadcast and digital content being producer. Thanks to platforms such as Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, there is a ferocious appetite for content, but with this comes increased competition from other areas of the UK and Europe who are all keen to attract as many projects as possible. Liverpool is more than holding its own, and more often than not, people from the film and production industry who contact us for the 1st time, are doing so as the City has been recommended to them by other industry colleagues; and we can't ask for much more than that. I'm so proud of our small team, but as always, we don't rest on our laurels and are always looking ahead to next year to see what we can do to improve, and make sure Liverpool is always on the mind of producers and directors looking for locations. The 2019 filming schedule is already looking busy and we hope we are in for another record breaking year."

Other films and programmes which were on location in Liverpool and the City Region in 2018 include:- 'Britain's Got Talent,' 'Take Me Out,' 'Coronation Street,' 'X Factor,' 'Celebs Go Dating,' 'This Morning' and 'Homes Under the Hammer.' Plus a string of German TV shows and Bollywood films.

For more information about Liverpool Film Office visit:- LiverpoolFilmOffice.TV.

Turkey dinner and Tax Returns

COMPLETING your Tax Return may not be top of your priorities on Christmas Day, but that didn't stop 2,616 taxpayers from filing their Self Assessment returns on 25 December 2018. For some taxpayers completing their return on Christmas Day is as traditional as spending time with family and friends, or waiting for the Boxing Day sales to start. The peak time was between 1pm and 2pm, when more than 230 customers filed.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "This year, more than 2,600 taxpayers chose to file their returns on Christmas Day. Whether you fit it in while cooking the Christmas turkey, once the kids have gone to bed, or after the Queen's Speech; our online service is available for you to file your Tax Return, at a time that suits you."

More than 11 million taxpayers are expected to complete a 2017/18 Self Assessment Tax Return form by 31 January 2019.

The number of Tax Returns filed during this period were:-

25 December 2018...

► 00.00 to 08.00: 204

► 08.01 to 16.00: 1,372

► 16.01 to 00.00: 1,040

► Total = 2,616


26 December 2018...

► 00.00 to 08.00: 348

► 08.01 to 16.00: 4,492

► 16.01 to 00.00: 3,625

► Total = 8,465

For any customers who are yet to start their 2017/18 Self Assessment, there are films and webinars which take you through each stage of the process, with bespoke guidance for individuals' varying circumstances. Help is also available on GOV.UK or from the Self Assessment helpline on:- 0300 200 3310 and on social media.

If customers completed a Self Assessment Tax Return in 2016/2017, but didn't have any tax to pay, they still need to complete a 2017/18 Tax Return, unless HMRC has written to them to say that it is not required.  If you need help, you can get guidance on filling in your Self Assessment online at:- Gov.UK/Self-Assessment-Tax-Returns.

Do you think people should be encouraged to use Christmas to fill in Self Assessments? Do you think this shows just how hard pushed for time we are now in the UK? Please email us your views on this to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.